The Mayo News

THE CONTROVERSIAL visionary Christina Gallagher and the House of Prayer she operates has reportedly paid out €250,000 in out-of-court settlements.

House of Prayer in Achill makes settlements to former followers


Anton McNulty

THE CONTROVERSIAL visionary Christina Gallagher and the House of Prayer she operates in Achill has reportedly paid out nearly €250,000 in out-of-court settlements to its former followers.
Earlier this year, it emerged that Christina Gallagher, who has no formal income, was living in a €4 million mansion in Malahide in Dublin, has a €1 million house in her name in Newport and two years ago bought her daughter a house worth €1 million in Ballina. The emergence of her lavish lifestyle annoyed former followers who donated thousands of euro to the House of Prayer, and some decided to take legal action to reclaim their money.
One of her former followers, Mike McCrory, told The Mayo News at the time of the revelations that more and more of her followers had become disillusioned with her following the stories of her wealth.
Last month, Christina Gallagher was served with High Court writs on behalf of her former followers. The official High Court record lists the defendants as Our Lady Queen of Peace House of Prayer Limited, Christina Gallagher, Fr Michael McGinnity, Spiritual Director of the House of Prayer and John Rooney, an American fundraiser for the House of Prayer.
However, the ‘Sunday World’ newspaper reported that an out-of-court settlement had been made and all parties are believed to have signed confidentiality clauses. It was reported that a couple from the south of Ireland who had donated large amounts of cash over a ten-year period were given nearly €150,000 as a settlement and for legal fees. Another settlement has also been made to a man who reportedly gave €100,000 to the House of Prayer. It is now expected that other former followers of Christina Gallagher will try to get their money back.
Since the House of Prayer opened in Achill in 1993, thousands upon thousands of people have flocked to see and pray at the former convent. Since the start of the year, the House of Prayer has been dogged by controversy and Archbishop of Tuam, Dr Michael Neary, said it did not have the approval of the Catholic Church. However, despite this controversy and set-back, pilgrims continued to visit the House of Prayer during the summer.
A Garda spokesperson told The Mayo News that they have received statements relating to activities surrounding the House of Prayer in Achill and investigations were ongoing.

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