Northern Ireland: Priest pleads guilty to 109 online offences against boys

Gallagher admitted 109 online abuse offences

A priest in Northern Ireland pleaded guilty at Londonderry Crown Court on Monday, to 109 sexual offences relating to the online abuse of boys.

Edward Gallagher, 59, from Lifford in County Donegal, admitted the offences which took place between June 2023 and April 2025.

They included 43 attempts to sexually communicate with boys, 13 charges of possessing indecent images of children and 43 of attempting to encourage boys to distribute or show indecent images of photographs of children.

Gallagher has been in custody since April 2025, when he was confronted by an angry group in Derry who reported him. He will remain in custody until he returns to court for sentencing on 9 December 2026.

He was immediately suspended from priestly ministry on his arrest, but 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 he was seeking permission from the Vatican to dismiss him 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."

Most recently Gallagher served in the Clonleigh, Camus and Leckpatrick parishes in County Derry.