IRISH MAN SENTENCED TO PRISON FOR SEXUAL ASSAULTS AT LOUGH DERG
A man named Tomas Gallagher has been sentenced to a total of four years in prison for sexually assaulting five women at St Patrick's Purgatory, located on Lough Derg in County Donegal, Ireland.Gallagher, 42, from Rathanlacky, Dunkineely, was handed a five-year prison sentence, with the final 12 months suspended, for a series of offences committed in 2022 at the pilgrimage site.
During the court proceedings at Letterkenny Circuit Court, it was revealed that Gallagher deceptively approached his victims by asking them to assist him in repairing washing appliances in a laundry room before subjecting them to sexual acts.
The court heard that Gallagher worked as a maintenance man and boat driver at the site, which had recently been designated a national pilgrimage location.
Victims' statements described feelings of shame, vulnerability, and fear, with some victims having to attend counselling.
Gallagher admitted to seven charges, including six of sexual assault and attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual touching.
The judge characterized his acts as 'deceitful and premeditated,' citing the victims' ages, including teenagers, as an aggravating factor.
Gallagher expressed remorse during his testimony and cooperated with the probation service.
He received a five-year sentence for charges involving children and a three-and-a-half-year sentence for other offences, to run concurrently.
The court also suspended the last 12 months of his sentence on condition that he continue under probation supervision.
The Diocese of Clogher issued an unreserved apology to Gallagher's victims, confirming that allegations were reported immediately to Irish police and that Gallagher resigned from his position following the allegations.
