Greetings from the Republic of Ireland, part of United Kingdom

I just arrived to Ireland to deliver a technical training on s/w optimization. On the way here I stopped briefly at Heathrow, and nearly missed my flight because I have overlooked one thing... My UK visa had expired, and I was planning either to transit within international zone, or to get a TWOV(transit without visa) that I am eligible for (Russia is not in DATV list, I have confirmed flights and an Irish visa).

However at a transit gate I was stopped by a border control officer, who told me that flights to Ireland are departing from a domestic gates, so so I cannot go through international transit zone, and I am not eligible for TWOV which is only for international flights. After a short conversation he told me that he feels kind today and stamped TWOV in my passport.

It's good that I have a direct flight back to Munich :)