It was an Independence day party of a different kind - a boarding party - that led to an Irishman getting his marching orders from the US Department of Homeland Security. While on a pleasure cruise off Long Island, Dave Quinn found himself part of a boarding and interrogation that has led to his deportation from the US.
David Quinn, a horse-and-carriage driver who has been in America since his visa expired in 2003, was out on his girlfriend's uncle's yacht, when its foreign registration caught the eye of customs and coast guard officials.
Federal maritime law in the US states that boats registered in other territories must contact customs officials upon arrival at American ports, even when their journey has begun from another American port.
The boat had been registered in St Vincent & the Grenadines, a common practice by US boat owners for tax purposes. The unfamiliar flag drew attention, and the 63-foot yacht was boarded by officials. When the passengers and crew were questioned, Mr Quinn and a Guatemalan caterer were unable to prove they were in the US legally. Quinn was detained, and has subsequently been released and given a 28-day period to prepare for deportation.
The entire saga is detailed in a New York Times news feature here.
