Fr Edward Gallagher (59), 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, and 7 further offences, including inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and causing a child to watch sexual activity on April 17 last year, as well as charges of possessing indecent images of children.
At the latest court hearing on Thursday, July 9, Derwin Harvey, defence solicitor for Fr Gallagher, told the court that while a date had been fixed for next Thursday, July 16, he had yet to receive any papers in the case.
A prosecutor told the court that the papers had been collected by the PSNI, and so there was no reason why a Preliminary Enquiry could not go ahead on July 16.
Mr Harvey told the court that he could accept service of the papers, and the committal proceedings have now been fixed for next Thursday.
Fr Gallagher has remained in custody at Maghaberry Prison for the past fifteen months, and appeared at the court hearing by videolink.
A former parish priest in Moville from 2022 until 2024, Fr Gallagher remains suspended from ministry. Most recently, he served as a curate at the Clonleigh, Camus and Leckpatrick parishes.