Priest Edward Gallagher Pleads Guilty to 109 Sex Offences; Sentencing Scheduled for December
According to BBC UK, a 59-year-old priest, Edward Gallagher, has pleaded guilty to 109 sex offences at the Londonderry Crown Court. He is scheduled to be sentenced in December, and the Catholic Bishop of Derry has confirmed steps to have him dismissed from the priesthood.
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A priest has entered a plea of guilty to 109 sex offences before the Londonderry Crown Court, as reported by BBC UK.
Edward Gallagher, who is 59 years old and resides at Maghaberry Prison, is set to receive a sentence in December for offences that occurred between June 22, 2023, and April 18, 2025. These charges included, among others, attempting sexual communication with a child under the age of 16, possessing indecent images of a child, having an extreme pornographic image, and attempting to encourage a child to participate in sexual activity. Gallagher pleaded guilty to all charges when they were presented to him.
Catholic Bishop of Derry Michael Router stated that he intends to request that the Vatican remove Gallagher from the priesthood. Bishop Router communicated that his primary concern is with those impacted by the case, specifically mentioning the children who have experienced harm and those who continue to live with the repercussions of abuse and exploitation.
The bishop announced that he would take immediate action to pursue the most severe penalty available under church law, which is the dismissal of Gallagher from the priesthood. He noted that the Catholic Church cannot reverse the harm that has occurred but does hold a duty to respond in a manner that is truthful, just, and decisive.
Furthermore, Bishop Router confirmed that the Diocese of Derry has fully cooperated with the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) and all pertinent statutory authorities during the investigations related to the Gallagher case, and stated that this cooperation would continue. Defence counsel Stephen Mooney mentioned that a pre-sentence report was necessary, adding that the facts of the case are as they are. Gallagher remains in custody awaiting sentencing on December 9.
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