A priest has spoken of his alarm after the “unnerving” arrest of a clerical colleague over an alleged child sex offence.
Father Michael McCaughey thanked parishioners in Clonleigh for their “spirit of kindness and solidarity” in the days since Fr Edward Gallagher was arrested and then charged.
He addressed the matter at Easter Sunday mass this morning.
Gallagher (58) appeared via videolink at a court sitting in Dungannon on Saturday, where he was charged that between April 2 and April 17 he attempted to sexually communicate with a child under 16.
In a widely-circulated video, Gallagher is seen being approached and challenged by a group of so-called paedophile hunters.
Gallagher works as a curate in the Clonleigh, Camus and Leckpatrick parishes.
Since his arrest, he has been suspended from ministry by the Diocese of Derry, which has commenced an internal investigation.
The Easter Sunday Mass at St Patrick’s Church in Clonleigh parish, Lifford, was taken by Fr McCaughey this morning.
Towards the end of the mass, after the liturgy of the Eucharist, Fr McCaughey asked the congregation to sit, while he spoke about the “very difficult few days” for the parish.
He read out a statement from the Diocese of Derry, reiterating Fr Gallagher’s arrest and charge.
Fr McCaughey then spoke on “a personal level and a local level” on behalf of himself and parish priest Fr Declan Boland.
“We acknowledge the pain, the hurt, the disappointment of the past 48 or 72 hours. This is difficult, this is alarming, this is unnerving, this is disturbing,” he told parishioners.
He added: “This is so disturbing for people and parishioners of all ages, and it is so difficult for priests. I can say that very honestly.
“I left the back door of the church in Strabane this morning to begin the quarter to ten mass, it struck me of what a few days it has been, Holy Thursday afternoon to this morning.
“It’s been remarkable, the spirit of support and of kindness, of solidarity and care of yourselves.
“I have to say personally, it has been a privilege to be here for mass on Holy Thursday, on Good Friday, and to celebrate a Vigil Mass here last night - a remarkable sense of the spirit of kindness and of care and of solidarity.
“I just want to assure you of my prayers this morning, and I assure you of our sense of journeying together as a parish community in acknowledging, on both of our parts, the shame, the hurt, the disappointment that people have been experiencing at this time.
“Above all, I just want to say thank you for the presence of those people here last night, today and through the days past.”
Fr McCaughey wished parishioners a happy Easter and thanked those who took part in the service.
None of the alleged background facts were opened when Gallagher appeared in court via videolink on Saturday.
Defence lawyer Stephen Chapman said no application was being made for bail.
He asked that his client be remanded in custody until May 1.
Asked why, he told District Judge Steven Keown: “At the moment there is an issue over addresses, and we’re in conversation with the police over that and there may be a resolution to that over the next week to 10 days. So the next available videolink court that should be suitable will be May 1.”
Mr Chapman also made an application for legal aid for his client.
“He would have been in receipt of a modest stipend - the circumstances of the case are such that that will obviously cease,” he added.
The case was adjourned to May 1.
On Saturday, the diocese confirmed Gallagher has been suspended from ministry.
It said: “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.
“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.
“In addition, contact for diocesan safeguarding can be found on the diocesan website (derrydiocese.org) or on posters in churches within the diocese.”
Gallagher is a former parish priest at Moville in Co Donegal, and Greencastle and Badoney Lower in Co Tyrone.
According to his social media page, he has also served as curate in the parish of Limavady, in Cappagh in Co Tyrone and Holy Family in Derry.
He is also a former administrator at Long Tower Parish, Derry, and a former associate pastor and pastor at Sacred Heart Parish in the city.
The diocese serves the Catholic congregation of 51 parishes across almost all of Co Londonderry, parts of Co Tyrone and Co Donegal, and a small area across the River Bann in Co Antrim.