A legal dispute is said to be emerging over a lotto jackpot worth €8.2m.

Payment for the winning ticket, which was sold in a Sligo newsagents on March 5th, has not yet been handed over.

The National Lottery says it will not be commenting further until the prize is collected.

In a statement on Wednesday, it said: "The National Lottery never comments on the specifics of the claims procedure to protect both the privacy of the claimant and the security of the National Lottery’s claims process".

"As is standard practice, any claimant has 90 days in which to claim their prize and we are continuing to engage with the ticketholder".

"In line with our normal policy, we will not be issuing further comment until the prize has been collected".

The ticket was sold in Sligo town in the XL Shop and Stop on Stephen Street.

Kieran McCarthy is the managing editor of Sligo Today. He told Newstalk Breakfast there are lots of rumours abounding.

"Lots of names have been brought forward - the latest one...was a 14-strong syndicate from a stag party from Donegal - and that's turned out to be false now as well", he said.

"Legal letters now are flying".

"Solicitors acting on behalf of the person claiming for the win has said that (the National Lottery) have been giving out information and threatening to disclose his, or her, identity".

"Also there's a mention of High Court action being taken - but I can confirm to you that at the close of business yesterday, the online records of the High Court show absolutely nothing has been lodged in relation to this".

"Sources inside the lotto have disclosed that yes, it will be paid".