Egan was criticized in June 2003 for concealing the names of priests who have been accused of child molestation and cleared by the church. His spokesman argued that the innocent should be protected; groups including Voice of the Faithful were critical because the entire process was out of the public view. (See Roman Catholic Church sex abuse scandal.)
The Egan family of the Meelaghans, Tullamore have excited some interest from family history enthusiasts, especially in the United States arising from the fact that Howard Egan born in Tullamore in 1815 was among the celebrated employees of the Pony Express while two of his sons, Howard and Richard, also served as riders.
EdwardEgan known affectionately as the "Poet Egan" was born at the Meelaghans, Tullamore in 1858 and died c.
Egan began his literary career at a very early age, and soon after he had returned from Australia, where he was a very discontented emigrant for a short period.