Tributes and condolences are flowing in following the unexpected passing of Shawn Keeley, a lottery winner in his 30s from Ireland, who peacefully passed away in the Philippines over the weekend.
Shawn became an instant millionaire in 2020 after purchasing a scratch card that awarded him £1 million (€1.1 million). At the time, he was working as the manager of Eurospar in Dungiven, Co Derry, and bought the winning ‘£50M Mega Cash Showdown’ Scratchcard from McNicholl’s Eurospar in Dungiven.
Having recently resided in the Philippines, news of Shawn’s passing has prompted an outpouring of heartfelt messages from friends and family online. One friend expressed disbelief at his sudden departure, recalling Shawn as a person who brought light to every room he entered. Another former colleague shared fond memories of working with Shawn and extended condolences to his family.
The announcement of Shawn’s passing was shared on social media by McLaughlin Funeral Directors in Dungiven, Co Derry, revealing details of his sudden but peaceful demise on May 23, 2026. The notice mentioned his family members and requested donations to the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust in his memory.
Reflecting on his lottery win, Shawn recounted the moment of discovery, revealing that he stumbled upon the winning ticket while getting ready for a gathering with friends. He vividly remembered the excitement of realizing he had won the top prize of one million pounds.
As the community mourns the loss of Shawn Keeley, his memory lives on through the touching tributes and shared reminiscences of his joyful spirit and generous heart.
