Priest Pleads Guilty to 109 Sexual Offences Against Boys in Northern Ireland

A priest has pleaded guilty at court in Northern Ireland to 109 sexual offences relating to the online abuse of boys. Edward Gallagher, from Lifford in County Donegal, admitted the offences at Londonderry Crown Court. The offences took place between June 2023 and April 2025. The 59-year-old will remain in custody until he is sentenced on December 9. The offences include 43 charges of attempting to sexually communicate with boys, 13 charges of possessing indecent images of children, and 43 charges of attempting to encourage boys to distribute or show indecent images or photographs of children. Other offences include one charge of possessing an extreme pornographic image and one charge of an adult attempting to engage in a sexual act in the presence of a male child for the purpose of sexual gratification.

After his arrest, Gallagher was suspended from priestly ministry, but he remains ordained. In a statement, Rt Rev Michael Router, Bishop of Derry, said the church has “a responsibility to respond truthfully, justly and decisively,” and that he was seeking permission from the Vatican to dismiss Gallagher immediately from the priesthood. He added that his thoughts were with those affected by the case, “particularly the children who have suffered harm and those who continue to live with the consequences of abuse and exploitation.” Gallagher most recently served in the Clonleigh, Camus, and Leckpatrick parishes in County Derry. The case serves as a sobering reminder of the devastating impact of abuse and the urgent need for the Church to act with transparency, accountability, and compassion in protecting the vulnerable and bringing perpetrators to justice.