Worker at Lough Derg Pilgrimage Site Jailed for Four Years After Sexually Assaulting Five Women in Deceitful Scheme

 Letterkenny, June 5, 2025, 09:43 AM IST – A 42-year-old worker at the revered Lough Derg pilgrimage site, Tomas Gallagher, has been sentenced to four years in prison for sexually assaulting five women, including two minors, in a series of premeditated attacks that exploited the trust of his victims. The sentencing, delivered by Judge John Aylmer at Letterkenny Circuit Court, follows Gallagher’s guilty plea to seven charges, marking a significant breach of trust at one of Ireland’s most sacred religious sites.

Gallagher, a father of one from Rathanlacky, Dunkineely, preyed on unsuspecting female pilgrims at St Patrick’s Purgatory on the shores of Lough Derg in 2022, where he worked as a maintenance man and boat driver. The court heard how he lured his victims—ranging from teenagers to older women—into a laundry room under the pretense of needing assistance with repairing washing machines and tumble dryers. Instead, the women were subjected to sexual assault, with Gallagher deceiving them into holding what they believed to be a “pipe,” which was in fact his penis. In one instance, he instructed a victim to twist the “pipe” like “revving a motorcycle,” while another was told it would feel “soft and moist.”

The harrowing details of Gallagher’s calculated assaults were outlined by barrister for the state, Ms Fiona Crawford, BL, and investigating Garda Joanna Doherty. One teenage victim described the “pipe” as “squishy, wet, and warm,” later realizing it was Gallagher’s exposed penis. An older woman, asked to reach behind a dishwasher, immediately recognized the object as “warm and soft” and not a pipe, exclaiming, “What the f*** is that?” before retreating in shock. Another young woman’s complaint to a person in charge prompted others to come forward, leading to Gallagher’s arrest.

Gallagher initially denied the allegations during three interviews with Gardaí but later admitted his crimes, entering a guilty plea to four counts of sexual assault on adults, two counts of sexual assault on children, and one count of inviting a child to sexual touching, under the Criminal Law (Rape) (Amendment) Act 1990 and the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017.

Sentencing and Victim Impact

Judge Aylmer, having reviewed reports on Gallagher and victim impact statements, described the crimes as “egregious acts of violence in a sacred place of pilgrimage.” He characterized Gallagher’s actions as “deceitful” and “premeditated,” placing them in the mid-range for such offenses, meriting a headline sentence of seven years. However, considering mitigating factors such as Gallagher’s early plea, lack of prior convictions, and apparent remorse, the judge reduced the sentence to five years, suspending the final year to encourage rehabilitation. Gallagher will serve four years in prison, followed by 12 months under the supervision of the Probation Services.

Victim impact statements revealed the profound trauma inflicted on the women. A young woman shared, “Despite being the victim, I feel ashamed and disgusted by what happened… I often think about if I could have stopped this from happening to others.” An older victim expressed regret for not speaking out sooner, fearing disbelief, stating, “I was afraid that people would laugh at me or not believe me.” A teenage victim, now in counseling, spoke of lasting anxiety, saying, “cannot trust men” and opted not to attend court to avoid seeing Gallagher. Another woman, giving evidence via video link from abroad, described how the assault made her “an angrier, wearier, and meaner person,” though she felt some relief in alerting authorities, preventing further harm.

Mitigation and Context

Gallagher took the stand to apologize, stating, “I truly regretted that I did what I did… I’m sorry for the hurt and pain I caused.” His barrister, Mr Colm Smyth, SC, highlighted Gallagher’s 24 counseling sessions, his acceptance of responsibility, and the social ostracism he has faced in his community. Smyth acknowledged the gravity of the offenses, noting, “The fact that the offenses took place in a sacred place, a place of pilgrimage for Christian people going back many centuries, also has to be acknowledged.” He urged the court to offer “light at the end of the tunnel,” citing Gallagher’s remorse and previously blameless life.

Judge Aylmer recognized these factors, noting Gallagher’s cooperation and efforts at rehabilitation, which influenced the decision to suspend part of the sentence. However, the judge emphasized the severity of the betrayal at a site revered for spiritual refuge, underscoring the need for justice for the victims’ families.

The sentencing of Tomas Gallagher on June 5, 2025, brings a measure of closure to a disturbing chapter at Lough Derg, while highlighting the critical importance of safeguarding vulnerable individuals in sacred spaces. The case also sheds light on the lasting impact of sexual violence on victims, many of whom continue to navigate the emotional scars of Gallagher’s actions, even as they seek to reclaim their lives with resilience.