A prominent Irishman who lived illegally in Boston for years has been deported.
A spokesman for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said John Cunningham returned to Ireland on Wednesday night.
The 38-year old electrical contractor had been in custody since his June 16 arrest for overstaying a 90-day visa by more than a decade.
The case generated concerns within Massachusetts' Irish community, home to an estimated 12,000 of the nation's 50,000 Irish living in the U.S. illegally.
Cunningham was past chairman of the local Gaelic Athletic Association and had appeared on Irish national television months before his arrest to talk about living illegally in the U.S.
He also had a warrant for his arrest for failing to show up in court over a $1,300 dispute.
Cunningham's lawyer didn't immediately comment.
