Relief at Gransha paedo move

James and Owen Roe McDermott were accused of 19 child sex offences spanning over 30 years - but were found to be mentally unfit to stand trial in June and were instead placed under a two-year care and probation order.

They subsequently presented to the WHSCT after residents of Donagh, Co Fermanagh - where they committed what was dubbed a "tidal wave of abuse" with two of their siblings over three decades - launched a vocal media campaign for their removal from the village.

Their admission to Lakeview sparked outrage in the North West with parents and relatives concerned at the lack of consultation over the move.

This came to a head last Friday when relatives - including Mrs Margaret Pollock - whose 36-year-old daughter, Michelle, is a patient in Brook Lodge at Lakeview - took part in a "very heated" meeting with Trust officials.

Mrs Pollock said afterwards the Trust had apologised for not consulting the families before moving the infamous McDermotts into Gransha adding: "There should have been some contact. When we telephoned they would not even take our calls, that is a breakdown of communication full-time."

Yesterday, however, frustration turned to relief with the decision by the Trust to move the paedophiles out of the Brook Lodge facility at Lakeview.

Senior managers of the Western Trust met with families of patients in Lakeview Hospital and political representatives at the Destined offices in Great James' Street.

Following the meeting, Western Trust Director of Adult Mental Health Services, Trevor Millar, said: "We fully appreciate the depth of feeling which exists for all the people concerned. This is a very complex situation and it needs to be addressed in a sensitive manner."

He added: "Today we discussed the practicalities around offering care to the McDermott brothers. We are grateful that with the families' support and cooperation the situation has moved forward to a satisfactory resolution for everyone.

"The Trust is continuing to care for the needs of all clients and will work closely with the families as we do this."

Dermot O'Hara of Destined said: "A weight has been lifted off our shoulders.

"We are very pleased that the trust moved so quickly following our meeting on Friday, and these measures are being put in place today."