Published Tuesday, 03 August 2010
The development comes after a second meeting between Western Health Trust officials and concerned relatives.
The brothers, from the Co Fermanagh village of Donagh, have been at the centre of controversy since they were declared mentally unfit to stand trial for a catalogue of child abuse offences over a 30-year period.
They initially returned to their family home but, amid outrage from the local community - many of whom had claimed they themselves been abused by the McDermotts - the brothers were urged to admit themselves for specialist treatment.
But their presence at Lakeview, within the Gransha complex, also caused anxiety and sparked talks between patients' relatives and health officials in a bid to resolve the situation.
Following Tuesday's meeting, Western Trust Director of Adult Mental Health Services, Trevor Millar, said the situation was "very complex".
"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."
Theresa Maginnis, whose 21-year-old son is on the ward, had already told UTV that the families would not stop campaigning until the brothers were put in a more suitable place.
"These two men need care in the right environment, we've never disputed that," she said.
"They have human rights as well as well as our children. But our children are the vulnerable ones."
On Tuesday, SDLP Foyle MP Mark Durkan told UTV more questions needed answered.
"Obviously there are wider issues that arise out of this, that will have implications about budgets in the future and of course legal issues because this very unusual case has shown some gaps, loopholes and potential conflicts and tensions within the law and the different obligations that are laid down", he said.
UTV understands the McDermott brothers are now to be removed from the ward, but that they will remain within the hospital grounds.
The families are said to be unanimously pleased with the decision.