Bishop asks Vatican to dismiss priest who pleaded guilty to 109 sex offences

The Bishop of Derry will petition the Holy See to immediately dismiss a priest who has pleaded guilty to 109 sex offences at Derry Crown Court.

Edward Gallagher, aged 59, with an address at Maghaberry Prison, pleaded guilty to 109 charges relating to sexual offences, including sexual communication with a child under 16 and having indecent images of a child.

He will be sentenced in December for offences between 22 June 2023 and 18 April 2025.

In a statement, Bishop Michael Router said that while Gallagher was immediately suspended from priestly ministry following his arrest, the substantive church process was put on hold so that it would not interfere with, prejudice, or complicate the criminal investigation and prosecution.

"Now that the criminal proceedings have reached this stage, there is no longer any reason for the Church's canonical process to remain suspended," he said.

The Derry Bishop said his thoughts were first and foremost with those affected by the case, particularly the children who had suffered harm and those who live with the consequences of abuse and exploitation.

"The events of the past 18 months have caused immense distress to victims and survivors of abuse, parishioners, families, clergy and the wider community," he said.

Bishop Router confirmed that he had instructed that the documentation required by the Holy See be finalised and transmitted without delay.

"My petition will be that this case be treated as one of exceptional gravity and that Fr Gallagher be removed permanently from the clerical state through the expedited procedure provided by Church law," he said.

He added that the priesthood is "a sacred trust".

"Conduct of this nature represents a radical betrayal of that trust and is wholly incompatible with the obligations and responsibilities of priestly ministry.

"The Church cannot undo the harm that has been caused. Nor can any canonical penalty remove the suffering experienced by victims and survivors.

"Nevertheless, the Church has a responsibility to respond truthfully, justly and decisively," he said.

Bishop Router said the diocese remained committed to supporting those affected, to maintaining "the highest safeguarding standards and to ensuring its continued full cooperation with the civil authorities".