ALL the paperwork on the transfer of the republican prisoner. Patrick Kelly, has been completed and his immediate relocation to Portlaoise prison is expected.
The final documentation allowing the transfer of the seriously ill prisoner was sent to the British authorities yesterday and it is understood that he will be moved from Maghaberry prison to the Republic without further delay.
Under the Transfer of Sentenced Persons Act, all three parties - the prisoner, the recipient State and the authorities holding the inmate must consent to the move and those particulars have been concluded.
Kelly's partner, Ms Angela Rice, said yesterday she had received no confirmation of when he would be moved but that its would be "probably at the end of the week".
Other sources indicated, however, that the transfer was more likely to take place sooner. It is understood that he will be brought to the Border from Maghaberry by members of the Northern security forces and handed over to gardai.
Kelly is serving 25 years for conspiracy to cause an explosion and to murder a policeman in Britain. He is gravely ill from skin cancer and his transfer brings to an end an intensive international campaign for his repatriation.
Under the legislation, the prisoner must serve the sentence imposed by the State where he was convicted.