HELP -- overstayed Irish visitor visa/caught @ Heathrow!!

[rocketrap]

I am a US citizen and have been living in the Republic of Ireland on a series of visitor visas (leaving the country every so often to stay within 3 month permit). I am engaged to an Irish citizen with whom I am curently traveleing in New Zealand on a visitor visa.

On my travel from Donegal to New Zealand I flew out of Derry (UK) to London. While in London an "exit passport check" was done. The officer asked why I had stayed past my visa expiration period and I explained to him that I had not done so as I had left and then reentered Ireland within the acceptable period, having traveled to London, Scotland, etc. He looked at me as if I were some dirty criminal and wrote something in code on my passport -- I cannot decypher it.

It didnt occur to me that since I was not getting stamped at any of these borders that I would have a problem because I had followed the restrictions of my visa. Clearly, I should have gotten stamped but seeing as I did not what should I do? I return from NZ to Ireland, through London to Derry in 2 weeks. PLEASE HELP/ADVISE!!!!!

[marialear]

My only advice would be to contact the US Embassy in Dublin: www.dublin.usembassy.gov & see what they say.

[Chess]

what was stamped in your ppt at Heathrow - entry into Ireland via London may be difficult as you will not be allowed in the UK

when was your exit from London Heathrow and which Terminal did you use?

[rocketrap]

my passport has the words "seen at embarks TN3, 13 nov 2005" with the signature of the officer. Does this simply mean that I was at terminal 3 exiting the UK on the 13th or is "TN#" a code for something sinister?

I have contacted the US consul in New Zealand (where I am currently traveling) and they refered me to the Irish and British consuls in NZ. I am to visit the Irish consul before leaving NZ but just want to know what this means to avoid an unpleasant surprise.

THANKS TO ALL WHO HAVE RESPONDED FOR YOUR HELP!!!

[Smit]

This link may be useful:

http://www.immigrationboards.com/viewtopic.php?t=5836