Key Takeaways
- Fr. Eddie Gallagher was arrested for allegedly inappropriate communications with someone he believed was a 14-year-old minor.
- Investigators claim he arranged meetings, shared explicit content, and solicited similar material from the minor.
- The community is shocked as authorities continue investigating the respected priest.
The community of Derry has been left stunned following the arrest of Fr. Eddie Gallagher, a long-serving priest, who now faces serious allegations related to inappropriate communication with a minor.
Who Is Fr. Eddie Gallagher?
Fr. Gallagher is the eldest of six children born to Evelina and the late William Gallagher.
Originally from Brooklyn, New York, he moved with his family to Derry at the age of 10.
After studying at St. Columb’s College in Derry, he pursued priesthood studies at St. Patrick’s College, Maynooth, and was ordained on June 12, 1994, at St. Brigid’s Church in Carnhill.
Irish priest arrested by paedophile hunters in N. Ireland, handed over to statutory police. Fr. Eddie Gallagher allegedly intended to traffic 14-year old boy to his caravan in Buncrana in the Irish Republic for sex. Vigilante group claims Gallagher is Church safeguarding expert. pic.twitter.com/uYuUdRuswW
— AA Gribben 🌎⚖️ (@TonyGribben3) April 17, 2025
He also spent five years on a mission trip with the Derry Diocese in Belize, Central America.
More recently, he served as Administrator at St. Columba’s Church, Long Tower, and was later inducted as the 13th parish priest of Greencastle at St. Patrick’s Church.
Arrest And Allegations
Fr. Gallagher’s arrest occurred in Lifford following an operation by online safety investigators.
According to reports, he communicated with an individual he believed to be a 14-year-old minor.
Investigators allege that he arranged plans to meet the minor and suggested private meetings away from supervision.
Fr. Eddie Gallagher -Lifford #JusticeReborn https://t.co/gFrj5OHbcL pic.twitter.com/wZuYXS58HC
— Patricia McCafferty (@PatriciaMAC10) April 17, 2025
Gallagher engaged in inappropriate online conversations with the minor that were sexual in nature.
During these exchanges, he shared personal content that was not suitable for a minor, including explicit images and messages.
He also repeatedly asked the minor to share similar material with him, creating a pattern of solicitation that concerned authorities enough to launch a formal investigation.
An online protection group operated the decoy under the names “Thor” (decoy) and “Spartan” (investigator).
Community Reaction
Fr. Gallagher had long been regarded as a respected figure within the Church community, and his arrest has caused profound sorrow and shock among parishioners and residents alike.
Church authorities have not issued an official statement as of this writing, and the investigation remains ongoing.
Authorities continue to gather evidence, and further legal proceedings are expected in the coming weeks.
Anyone with relevant information is encouraged to contact local authorities.
I felt very sorry for his poor aged Mother, who heard some of the lewd comments he made to what he believed was a 14 year old boy and how did she get home, after Gallagher’s arrest, I wonder. A sad individual of a priest who will probably be convicted and only get a suspended sentence,, but his good-name and clerical career is at an end and I doubt he’ll be preaching anytime soon.