The Catholic Church has urged victims of abuse to come forward after a Derry priest admitted 109 child sex offences.
Diocese of Derry cleric Edward Gallagher (59), of Orchard Park in Lifford, Co Donegal, pleaded guilty to the offences at Derry Crown Court on Monday.
The charges relate to dates between June 2023 and April 2025 and include 43 counts of attempted sexual communication with a child under 16, 43 charges of indecent images of children, 13 counts of possession of indecent images or a child, two counts of possessing images of a child and possessing and extreme pornographic image.
There were also charges of five counts of trying to encourage a child to engage in sexual activity, attempted sexual communication with a child under 16 and disturbing indecent images.
Gallagher pleaded guilty to all offences, with defence counsel Stephen Mooney stating that a pre-sentence report was required and “the facts are what they are”.
With his status as a sex offender now confirmed, he will remain in custody before his sentencing on December 9.
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Gallagher’s arrest and charge followed an incident involving ‘paedophile hunters’ outside a Derry hotel in 2025. In video shared on social media at the time, a number of allegations were put to the priest about his alleged sexual activity.
Responding to Monday’s development, the Bishop of Derry Michael Router said steps were now under way to remove Gallagher from the priesthood.
He also called on any victims of abuse to come forward.
He said his thoughts were with all those affected, “particularly the children who have suffered harm and those who continue to live with the consequences of abuse and exploitation”.
With Gallagher immediately suspended from his duties after his arrest, the church process was put on hold while the criminal investigation and prosecution completed.
“Now that the criminal proceedings have reached this stage, there is no longer any reason for the Church’s canonical process to remain suspended,” he said.
“Accordingly, the Diocese will move immediately to seek the most serious penalty available under Church law.
“I can confirm that I am petitioning the Holy See to submit the case directly to the Holy Father with a recommendation that Father Edward Gallagher be immediately dismissed from the clerical state.”
With the process to take place without delay, Bishop Router said the case should be treated with “exceptional gravity”.
“The priesthood is a sacred trust exercised in the service of God and His people. Conduct of this nature represents a radical betrayal of that trust and is wholly incompatible with the obligations and responsibilities of priestly ministry.”
He added that the Diocese of Derry had cooperated fully with the authorities during the investigation and would continue to do so.
“The Diocese remains committed to supporting those affected, to maintaining the highest safeguarding standards and to ensuring its continued full cooperation with the civil authorities.”
He encouraged any others who had experienced abuse or inappropriate behaviour in the church, both with Gallagher and in any other context, to come forward.
“I want to assure them that they will be listened to with respect and taken seriously,” he said.
This can be done through the police or the Diocese’s Designated Liaison Person, Marie O’Kane, on 07596 500793 or dlp@derrydiocese.org.
