Jeffrey Donaldson set for transfer to Magilligan

Now 63, the former MP is currently being held for his own safety in a cell designed to house supergrass prisoners, in the hospital wing of HMP Maghaberry, which lies just 12 miles from the Donaldson’s Dromore home which is now up for sale.

Three nursing staff run the jail wing, which is dedicated to supporting the health of ailing and frail prisoners, and used for regular medical checks for other inmates.

But it is understood that HMP Magilligan, near Limavady, is best suited to prisoners deemed more vulnerable due to age or declining health, and it is here where the former MP will soon be housed

The medium to low security prison, according to the Department of Justice, holds male prisoners with six years or fewer to serve who meet the relevant security classification.

With more than seven years left to serve, Donaldson falls outside that remit, but it is understood that due to the level of potential danger he faces from other inmates inside Maghaberry, an exception is deemed necessary.

Donaldson was sentenced to 15 years by Judge Paul Ramsey on October 15, but because his offences were committed before April 2009, he is automatically entitled to 50 per cent remission.

With time on remand counted from his conviction on June 22 this year, his earliest release date is estimated to be December 22, 2033, two weeks after his 71st birthday.

Donaldson, originally from Kilkeel, had lived in Dromore for 22 years, splitting his time between Northern Ireland and his flat in London while he was working at Westminster as a DUP MP.

Donaldson will be on the sex offenders register for life.

He has not received personal visitors at Maghaberry to date, and sources say the move will potentially make visits easier to accommodate.

Once he is transferred, all visitors must be approved by the Northern Ireland Prison Service, which can refuse or restrict visits on grounds of security, safety or public protection.

Like all prisoners convicted of child sex offences, Donaldson will be typically subject to controls on visits.

The transfer would take Donaldson further from his wife and former co-accused, Eleanor, 60, who remains in Co Down.

She was ruled medically unfit to stand trial.

Following a trial of the facts, the jury found she had done the acts alleged in five charges, including four of aiding and abetting her husband’s offending.

She is due back in court on Friday, 13 November.

Donaldson continues to deny the offences and has indicated he intends to appeal his convictions.

In sentencing him last Thursday, Judge Ramsey described Donaldson’s fall as “a catastrophic descent into disgrace”, and said there had been, and would doubtless be, no word of regret, apology or shame to give his victims “some crumb of comfort”.

Donaldson’s two victims, who were both seven or eight when the abuse began, have spoken of their determination to put him out of their lives.

In personal statements released after his sentencing, one woman said she had sought anonymity because she “never wanted my name to be associated with him for the rest of my life”.

The other said she now had hope of a life for her family “outside of this”, adding: “This will not dictate our lives anymore.”

Both described the trial as a gruelling ordeal.

One said the worst moments of her life had been questioned in court and that she had been told she was lying.

The other called the process “the most difficult thing I think I’ve ever done”, and said there were times she had wanted to walk away.