Folks, i'd appreciate if someone out there could help me with my query.

I got my UK visa stamp/work permit on 30th May 2002, however, I did not start my work in the UK(Northern Ireland) until 26th August 2002...i used to work in the republic of Ireland, therefore I do not have immigration stamp of arrival when I moved from republic of Ireland to Northern Ireland in August 2002 as there was no border check whatsoever... am I eligible to apply for ILR on 2nd of May 2007(28 days before the visa stamp)? or do I wait until 24th July 2007(28 days before I started my employment in the UK)? 

(btw, I passed the Life in the UK test quite recently as it is now a requirement for ILR)

many thanks for your help