A Donegal County Councillor is calling for the Irish Government to seek an urgent meeting with American officials and intervene in the case of a Donegal man arrested in Boston and facing deportation back to Ireland.
Glencolmcille native John Cunningham (38) was arrested on Friday over immigration offences.
Cunningham moved to Boston in 1999 and hasn’t been back in Ireland in 16 years. Currently being held in the Suffolk House of Corrections, Cunningham is set to be deported to Ireland.
Fianna Fáil Councillor Ciaran Brogan says Cunningham’s case has ‘sent shockwaves’ through the Irish community in America.
“John is a personal friend of mine and the heart goes out to John, his family and the big Irish family in America,” Councillor Brogan said.
“John is very much involved in the GAA in Boston. He is front and centre of all that is good about his community in Boston. It is terrible that he is just sitting in a prison now being treated like he is a criminal.
Councillor Ciaran Brogan with John Cunningham in Boston.
“These people are not criminals. They have always been very good to us when we’ve been out. Donegal County Council has sent deputations to Boston and John has actually been recognised by the Council for his contribution at the Golden Bridges conference.
Cunningham has been living undocumented in America since 1999. The Department of Foreign Affairs is providing consular assistance and his arrest has sparked fears among the undocumented Irish in America.
Councillor Brogan said: “This is a huge blow for all the undocumented people in America.
“The Irish Government, as a matter of urgency, need to seek meetings with the American administrators. John Cunningham has been heavily involved in so many good things in Boston. He went there, worked very hard and set up a business. He’s involved in everything and he is very high profile.
“Everyone is on the edge of their seat now. I have spoken to people in Boston and your heart would go out to them.”
