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Fr Gallagher was the curate for the Camus, Clonleigh and Leckpatrick parishes, which include St Patrick’s Church in Murlog, Lifford at the time of his arrest in April 2025.
He had previously served in the Moville parish, but has been suspended from ministry since his arrest.
On Monday, Gallagher, a 59-year-old most recently based in Lifford but whose address was given as Maghaberry Prison, pleaded guilty to 109 sex offences at Derry Crown Court.
The charges, which include attempted sexual communication with a child under 16, possessing indecent images of a child, possessing an extreme pornographic image and attempting to encourage a child to engage in sexual activity, relate to dates between 22 June 2023 and 18 April 2025.
Gallagher is due to be sentenced in December and the Bishop of Derry, Michael Router, has sought to have him immediately dismissed from the Church.
“I wish to join my sentiments with those of Bishop Michael Router of Derry regarding Fr Edward Gallagher, a priest of the Diocese of Derry, who has pleaded guilty to more than 100 charges relating to the sexual abuse of children,” Bishop Coll said in a statement.
“Given his ministry in the Derry parishes of east Donegal and Inishowen, this news is felt across the county and in our own Diocese of Raphoe.
“First and foremost, my thoughts and prayers are with all those who have suffered abuse and with their families. The pain caused by abuse can endure for many years, and cases such as this inevitably bring renewed distress to victims and survivors.”
Bishop Coll described the offences as “extremely grave” and added that they “rightly been treated with the utmost seriousness by the criminal justice system”.
He said: “The sense of betrayal and hurt that can arise when such offences are committed by someone entrusted with the care of others is profound.
“This deeply troubling case reminds us all of the need for continued vigilance in safeguarding children and vulnerable persons.”
Bishop Coll said he wished to assure the people of his own Diocese of Raphoe that safeguarding “remains a central priority in all our parishes, schools and other diocesan activities”.
He added: “We are committed to fostering environments where children are safe, valued and protected. I wish to express my sincere gratitude to the safeguarding representatives who serve in our parishes and other ministries.”
Bishop Router confirmed shortly after Gallagher’s court appearance that he has already sought to have the disgraced priest dismissed from the Church.
Bishop Router has asked the Holy See - the central governing body of the Catholic Church - to ask Pope Leo XIV to “immediately” dismiss Fr Gallagher from the clerical state.
Bishop Router said: “I have already instructed that the documentation required by the Holy See be finalised and transmitted without delay.” Bishop Router said his petition will be that the case be treated as one of ‘exceptional gravity' and that Father Gallagher be removed permanently from the clerical state through the expedited procedure provided by Church law.
While Fr 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.
Bishop Router said: “Now that the criminal proceedings have reached this stage, there is no longer any reason for the Church's canonical process to remain suspended.”
Bishop Coll encouraged anyone who may have been abused, or is suspicious of any abuse, to report it to the state authorities or the diocesan Safeguarding Office immediately.
To report a concern or complaint of child abuse, either current or historical is asked to contact Margaret Northage, the Designated Liaison Person on 086 2183 011.
Bishop Coll added: “As a diocesan community, we continue to pray for all who have been harmed by abuse, and we renew our commitment to doing everything possible to ensure the safety, dignity and wellbeing of every child and vulnerable person entrusted to our care.”