A 59-year-old priest has been returned for trial to Londonderry Crown Court facing 116 sex offence charges. Edward Gallagher, whose address was given as Maghaberry Prison, appeared at a preliminary enquiry at Londonderry Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.

The charges are alleged to have occurred on dates between 22 June 2023 and 18 April 2025. They include sexual communication with children, attempted sexual communication with children, possessing indecent images of children, and inciting children under 16 to engage in sexual activity.

Defence solicitor Derwin Harvey told the court he had reviewed the charges with Gallagher and there was no requirement for all 116 to be read aloud. The court accepted there was a case to answer, and no contrary submissions were made.

Gallagher indicated he did not wish to call any witnesses or make any statement at this stage. He was remanded in custody and will appear at Londonderry Crown Court on a date yet to be fixed.