Priest charged over alleged child sex offence due in court today

A FORMER Tyrone parish priest who is charged with attempted sexual communication with a child is due to appear before court again this morning.

Fr Eddie Gallagher (58) is charged that on dates between April 2, 2025, and April 17, 2025, that he attempted sexual communication with a child.

Fr Gallagher, the curate for the Camus, Clonleigh and Leckpatrick parishes in Donegal, previously served as parish priest in Greencastle in Tyrone.

His arrest and charge follows a confrontation by ‘paedophile hunters’ outside a Derry hotel in April, which saw a number of allegations put to him.

A video of the incident was widely shared online.

He is due to appear via videolink in Court 2 at Derry Magistrates Court at 11am this morning for a review, a spokesperson for the Northern Ireland Courts and Tribunal Services (NICTS) confirmed to the Ulster Herald.

At a previous special sitting of Derry Magistrates Court via videolink in Dungannon, the priest, with an address at Orchard Park in Lifford, spoke only to confirm his identity and that he understood the charge.

No application for bail was made, and the case was adjourned until this morning.

Following his arrest, gardaí and detectives visited a mobile home in Buncrana on the Inishowen Peninsula owned by the priest.

Elsewhere, the Derry Diocese has confirmed Fr Eddie Gallagher has been suspended as criminal proceedings continue.

“The Diocese of Derry is aware that Fr Edward Gallagher has appeared in court in relation to serious charges of a sexual nature in relation to attempted sexual communication with a child.

“The diocese takes such matters very seriously and as such has, in addition, commenced its own internal investigation, which will only take place in a manner which does not impede the criminal investigation.

“Fr Gallagher is suspended from ministry.

“As charges are now before a court, it would not be appropriate for the diocese to comment further until the completion of the criminal proceedings.”

The Diocese urged anyone with concerns of child abuse to contact all relevant authorities.

“If anyone has any allegations or concerns regarding child abuse, they should contact the PSNI and Social Services in Northern Ireland, or An Garda Síochána and Tusla in the Republic of Ireland.”