Priest, 58, avoids jail after sexually abusing 4 girls in Glasgow
Father Neil McGarrity was found guilty at Glasgow Sheriff Court of four sexual assaults and one charge of engaging in sexual activity.
Last updated 3rd Mar 2023
A priest who sexually abused four girls in Glasgow has avoided jail.
Father Neil McGarrity, 58, preyed on his victims at two churches in Glasgow as well as his parish home in the city.
McGarrity was found guilty at Glasgow Sheriff Court of four sexual assaults and one charge of engaging in sexual activity.
The charges span from December 2017 and February 2020 with the girls’ ages ranging between 10 to 16.
250 hours unpaid work
McGarrity was ordered to do 250 hours of unpaid work and was put under supervision for three years.
He also tagged McGarrity for nine months keeping him indoors between 7pm and 7am, and he was placed on the sex offenders register for five years.
McGarrity told the court in his evidence that he was "stunned" to hear of the allegations, he said: "There was truth in so far as some of the things I did and didn't do."
However, he denied there being any sexual activity on his part.