AN IRISH woman stranded by storms in the United States over the New Year has won the $21.5 million jackpot (€15.6 million) in the New York State Lottery.

Patricia Daly Eisel (40), a mother of three who lives in Long Beach, Nassau County, posted all six numbers in the multimillion Lotto jackpot on January 5th after spending €8 on the ticket.

The Tullamore woman, who moved to the US in 1995, had planned to be back in Ireland at the time but bad weather forced her to stay in New York where she bought the ticket.

Ms Daly Eisel, who works as a waitress, decided to take her winnings as a lump-sum payment rather than instalments. After taxes she will take home about $7.9 million.

After claiming her winnings yesterday, Ms Daly Eisel flew home to surprise her mother Margaret, sister Trezann and brothers Brendan and Brian.

Neighbour and close family friend, Imelda Lenehan described Ms Daly Eisel as a bright, fun-loving girl who was always dedicated to her family. “We are delighted for her because she was always a gorgeous girl, really outgoing,” she said. “They are a good family, a decent simple family.”

Describing her win, Ms Daly Eisel said: “When I checked my numbers, I just started shaking,” she said. “I was doing my laundry and decided to check the results from the night before. All six numbers matched the numbers on my ticket and I froze. I composed myself, gathered up my laundry and went to a friend’s house to make sure I wasn’t seeing things.”

Questioned on her plans for the future, she said: “I will buy a home, not a house, here in New York. Something very comfortable with a big fenced-in yard that the boys can run around in.”