John Gilligan will be at least six months behind bars in a tough Spanish jail housing killers, rapists and drug barons before he can even apply for bail as he awaits trial.
Gilligan (68) is being housed in the large Fontcalent prison in Alicante where visits have been suspended and inmates are terrified of outbreaks of Covid-19 in the cramped conditions.
Last year, a prisoner was murdered for snoring at the tough jail, where mentally-ill patients are being housed without proper access to psychiatrists.
The nightmare scenario for Gilligan may last until at least the middle of 2021, according to sources, who say he will not be able to apply for bail before then.