Can someone plz help me? :)

Read the following passage: everyone waited anxiously for the lottery of fairness and benevolence to start. the stakes were high this year. there was no chance of anyone forgetting his or her number or missing the drawing. numbers were tattooed on our forearms. attendance was mandatory. as we peered around at the armed soldiers who surrounded us, we wondered who the winner would be. who would take on the punishment for all of our crimes? there were hardly any crimes - nothing to steal, too tired to fight - but still, the punishments would be harsh. we all hoped it wouldn't be someone young. what is one way the author uses irony to convey his message?