• Father Neil McGarrity has been put on the list of sex offenders.
• He found guilty of 4 sexual assaults and 1 count of engaging in sexual activity.
• The girls involved range in age from 10 to 16.

A Glasgow priest was found guilty of molesting four minors sexually. Father Neil McGarrity, who has been put on the list of sex offenders, picked his victims up at two churches and his parish house.

The 68-year-old was found guilty of four sexual assaults and one count of engaging in sexual activity at Glasgow Sheriff Court.

The girls involved, who range in age from 10 to 16, are charged between December 2017 and February 2020.

Sheriff Vincent Lunny said the priest carried out “touching of a sexual nature”.

He told the court: “I was impressed with the care the witnesses gave their evidence and were not exaggerating in any way

“I’m satisfied that the contact and inappropriate touching was the beginning of getting to something more serious.

“I’m satisfied this was a single course of conduct systematically pursued by you.”

When she was 10 or 11 years old, the girl testified in court that the priest regularly hugged her in St. Thomas’ Church in Riddrie.

McGarrity, according to the witness, “made her feel uncomfortable.” He also gave her a hug and rubbed her arm, the girl continued.

A second girl said in court that shortly after meeting the priest, she called Childline to report him.

The girl claimed that he touched her leg, arm, chest, and waist on various occasions.

Both at St. Thomas’ and St. Bernadette’s Church in Carntyre, according to a third girl who testified in court, McGarrity wrapped his arm around her.

At the priest’s parish residence, a 25-year-old woman claimed to have seen the priest and her younger sister in a “prolonged embrace.”

McGarrity expressed to the court his “stunned” reaction to the accusations.

Prior to receiving background checks, the sentencing was postponed until March.

Bail has been granted to McGarrity.

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