Suspended Donegal-based priest facing child sex charges changes legal team

A Catholic priest who is currently in custody on attempted sexual communication with a child charges and other related offences has changed his legal representation, Derry Magistrates Court heard today. 

Edward Gallagher (58) of Orchard Park in Lifford had been charged with one count of attempted sexual communication with a child on dates between April 2 and April 17 2025.

He faces seven further offences, including inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and causing a child to watch sexual activity on April 17 this year as well as charges of possessing indecent images of children. 

When his case was mentioned, solicitor Derwin Harvey told the court that he was now representing Gallagher as the defendant had changed his legal team.

He asked the court for an update on the case and was told that the case was still at 'the investigation stage' and was still ongoing.

Mr Harvey said that the defendant had been in custody for some seven months and had served the equivalent of a 14-month sentence.

He said the fact that the case was still at the investigation stage was of some concern. 

He asked that the investigating officer be present at the next appearance to provide the court with an update.

District Judge Oonagh Mullan said that these were 'extremely serious charges' but the case could be reviewed in December. 

The case was adjourned until December 4, 2025.

Gallagher was the curate for the Camus, Clonleigh and Leckpatrick parishes, which include St Patrick’s Church in Murlog, Lifford. He was suspended from his ministry run the Derry Diocese in April after he was originally brought before the courts.

Gallagher was ordained a priest in June, 1994 and he first served in the Holy Family parish in Ballymagroarty.

Gallagher spent five years as a missionary priest in Belize and had spells in Cappagh and Limavady before serving for two years as the administrator of the Long Tower parish in Derry.

For seven years, he was the parish priest in Greencastle, Co Tyrone until 2022 when he was appointed as PP of Moville - a role he had until his relocation last year.