THE Pope is to be asked to permanently dismiss a former Donegal priest who has admitted a large number of child sex offences.
Edward Gallagher admitted 109 sex offences at Derry Crown Court today.
When first arrested last year, the Diocese of Derry said Gallagher had been suspended from his ministry.
Following his guilty plea, the recently-appointed Bishop of Derry, Michael Router, has confirmed he will ask the Vatican to permanently dismiss Gallagher.
He admitted 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.
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 today, Gallagher pleaded guilty to them all.
He was remanded in custody and will be sentenced on December 9.
Following the court proceedings, Bishop Router said his thoughts were ‘first and foremost’ with those affected by the case, particularly the children who had suffered harm and those who continued to live with the consequences of abuse and exploitation.
He said Gallagher’s case had caused ‘immense distress’ to victims and survivors, as well as to families, parishioners, clergy and the wider community.
He confirmed that he was seeking to have the case submitted directly to Pope Leo XIV, with a recommendation that Gallagher be immediately dismissed.
“While Fr Gallagher was immediately suspended from priestly ministry following his arrest, the substantive church process was put on hold so that it would not interfere with, prejudice, or complicate the criminal investigation and prosecution,” said Bishop Router.
“My petition will be that this case be treated as one of exceptional gravity and that Father Gallagher be removed permanently from the clerical state through the expedited procedure provided by church law.”
“Now that the criminal proceedings have reached this stage, there is no longer any reason for the church’s canonical process to remain suspended.
“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.
“I have already instructed that the documentation required by the Holy See be finalised and transmitted without delay.
“My petition will be that this case be treated as one of exceptional gravity and that Father Gallagher be removed permanently from the clerical state through the expedited procedure provided by church law.”
Harm caused
Bishop Router said the church could not undo the harm caused or remove the suffering experienced by victims and survivors.
“Nevertheless, the Church has a responsibility to respond truthfully, justly and decisively,” he said.
Bishop Router said the Diocese of Derry had fully cooperated with the police and other relevant statutory authorities throughout their investigations and would continue to do so.
He encouraged anyone who had experienced abuse or inappropriate behaviour, whether connected to this case or elsewhere within the Church, to come forward.