Londonderry priest unrepentant about revealing paedophile cleric

Father John Gallagher, who now lives in Palm Beach but previously ministered in the Long Tower parish, told how the locks were changed on his parochial house after he refused to put a paedophile priest on a plane rather than co-operate with police.

This week the Strabane-born priest broke his silence after almost a year.

Fr Gallagher interviewed Fr Jose Palimattom in January 2015 along with a retired police officer when he was made aware that he had shown indecent images to a young teenager.

Fr Palimattom admitted to the crimes, and also told how he had sexually assaulted young boys in India before arriving in the States.

However, Fr Gallagher told the ‘Derry Journal’ how church officials told him to put the priest on a plane rather than involve the police.

“That would have been wrong and against the law,” he said.

Fr Palimattom took a plea deal, served six months in jail, had one year probation and was then deported.

“The fundamental question that no one has been able to answer is where did he go,” said Fr Gallagher. “Is he still a priest – are kids in danger?”

Fr Gallagher said last year he was told he was due to be promoted but instead received a phone call telling him he was being demoted.

The stress of the situation left him in hospital with a suspected heart attack and when he was released he claims the locks on the door of his parochial house were changed.

“I’ve lost my job, my right to earn a living and my home,” said Fr Gallagher. “My character has been assassinated. I don’t know what the end goal will be.

“The Vatican are saying zero tolerance, we have seen no results. We are being told they want to stamp out sexual abuse. Whose job is it?

“You can’t keep quiet. I have employed all the policies and procedures of the Catholic church, but the church has not been able to follow their own policies and procedures.

“I have no regrets about what I did. If I had to go back and do it again. I would.”