Members of The Whistlin' Donkeys, an Irish folk band from County Tyrone in Northern Ireland, had their vehicle broken into while touring in Chicago earlier this week. Band member Tomás Quinn lost his passport in the theft, along with equipment and luggage.

Lead singer Fergal McAloon described the immediate reaction upon finding the damaged vehicle as chaotic. The group inventoried missing items, which included valuable camera equipment owned by drummer Oscar Bradley. Quinn's passport was the only one taken; McAloon's was found after a search.

Quinn received assistance from Irish authorities in the US to obtain a temporary passport and return home. On Tuesday, the Irish passport office issued him a new full passport.

The band has an emergency appointment at the US embassy in Ireland on Wednesday to secure a visa for upcoming St Patrick's Day performances in New York.

The Whistlin' Donkeys consist of Fergal McAloon on lead vocals, Tomás Quinn on banjo, Stephen Corrigan on guitar, Danny McCormick on bass, Michael Kerr on fiddle, and Oscar Bradley on drums. They plan to perform over three days during New York St Patrick's Day events.

McAloon stated the group now keeps passports secure to prevent repeats.