A former priest in Co Donegal has pleaded guilty to 109 child sex offences.
Edward Gallagher (59), of Orchard Park in Lifford, appeared at Derry Crown Court today.
He was charged with 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 of a child, two counts of possessing images of a child and possessing an extreme pornographic image.
Pre-sentence report
Gallagher was also charged with five counts of attempting to encourage a child to engage in sexual activity, attempted sexual communication with a child under 16 and distributing indecent images.
All of the charges related to dates between June 22, 2023 and April 18, 2025.
When the charges were put to him, Gallagher pleaded guilty to them all.
Defence counsel Stephen Mooney said that a pre-sentence report was required and added, ‘the facts are what they are’.
Judge Roseanne McCormick KC adjourned the case for sentencing on December 9. Gallagher remains in custody.
Gallagher, who is originally from Derry and celebrated the 30th anniversary of his ordination in 2024, was a curate at the Clonleigh, Camus and Leckpatrick parishes in Donegal when he was arrested.
He moved to the parishes in 2024, having previously been parish priest of Moville in Donegal.
From 2015 to 2022, Gallagher was parish priest of the Greencastle and Badoney Lower Parish in Tyrone.
He has also served in a number of other parishes in the Derry Diocese, including Limavady, Cappagh, Long Tower and Holy Family.