Fr Eddie Gallagher confronted earlier this week by paedophile hunters outside Derry hotel
Fr Eddie Gallagher appeared via videolink at Derry Magistrates’ Court, sitting in Dungannon, this morning, for a first remand hearing.
Gallagher, a 58-year-old with an address at Orchard Park, Lifford, appeared via video link from a custody suite at the Waterside PSNI station.
He is the curate for the Camus, Clonleigh and Leckpatrick parishes, which include St Patrick’s Church in Murlog, Lifford, where he is the regular celebrant.
The priest is charged that on dates between April 2, 2025 and April 17, 2025 that he attempted sexual communication with a child.
Gallagher spoke only to confirm his date of birth and to say “I do” when asked if he understood the charge against him.
A PSNI constable told District Judge Steven Keown that he could connect the accused to the charge.
Barrister for Gallagher, Mr Stephen Chapman BL, instructed by McGeady Molloy Solicitors, said there was no bail application and asked that the court remand his client until May 1.
Mr Chapman said: “At the moment, there is an issue over addresses. We are in conversation with the police about that and there may be a resolution to that in the next 10 days”.
Mr Chapman indicated there will be no bail application on the next date.
He said Gallagher was only “in receipt of modest stipends” and applied for legal aid.
Legal aid for this appearance was granted and Gallagher was remanded in custody to appear before Derry Magistrates’ Court on May 1.
Born in Brooklyn 1966, Gallagher spent the first part of his life in New York before the family relocated to Derry in 1977.
He attended St Columb’s College in Derry, later entering the seminary at Maynooth. He was ordained a priest in June, 1994 and he first served in the Holy Family parish in Ballymagroarty.
Gallagher spent five years as a missionary priest in Belize and had spells in Cappagh and Limavady before serving for two years as the administrator of the Long Tower parish in Derry.
For seven years, he was the parish priest in Greencastle, Co Tyrone until 2022 when he was appointed as PP of Moville – a role he had until his relocation last year.
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