Thug who attacked priest in Rutherglen jailed
41-year old Michael McTaggart told the frail 71-year old he had a gun in the attack back in May
A thug who attacked and robbed a terrified priest in his home has been jailed for four years. Michael McTaggart, 41, demanded cash from frail 73-year-old Father Patrick Hennessy and threatened that he “had a gun”.
He hauled the pensioner from the front door of the church house at St Columbkille’s Roman Catholic Church in Rutherglen, then pulled him back inside.
McTaggart, even after being given money wanted more and made off with envelopes cash donations.
Father Hennessy escaped from his house where he was helped by neighbours and McTaggart fled the scene.
McTaggart - who had been released early from a previous sentence at the time - pleaded guilty at Glasgow Sheriff Court admitted assaulting Father Hennessy and robbing him of collection money on May 13.
Sheriff Martin Jones QC said: “You have pled guilty to an extremely serious offence, which must have been a terrifying experience.
"You used violence to extract money from him and pulled hm in to the house after you had obtained money and threatened him in the vestibule of the premises.”
The sheriff added: “The time has come to realise if you continue offending this way your sentences are going to get longer and longer.”
The court heard Father Hennessy is “physically frail” and helps people who come to his door when he can, usually by giving them food.
Procurator fiscal depute Louise MacNeil said around 9.40pm Father Hennessy was watching television when he heard somebody banging on the internal door and answered it.
She said: “The accused then seized him by the head and pulled him in to the porch area.
“McTaggart closed the storm door and pushed Father Hennessy in to a corner and stated ‘I want money’.
“Father Hennessy gave him two pink collection envelopes he believed to contain £10 each and five pounds from his pocket.”
McTaggart continued to demand cash from the pensioner and told him “I have a gun”, then put his hand in his waistband.
The thug then grabbed Father Hennessy by the jumper and pulled him inside the house while he continued to ask for money.
Miss MacNeil added: “Father Hennessy gave him a donation box from the chapel, sitting on the table.”
McTaggart prised the box open and took out all the pink envelopes - thought to have around £100 in them.
Meanwhile the terrified priest took the opportunity to run in to the street where he was helped by neighbours and McTaggart ran passed him and off.
Police checked CCTV of the area and later found McTaggart on Rutherglen Main Street and during a police interview denied any involvement.
Defence lawyer Roddy Roberts said it was “nasty crime” and that his client is “appalled and ashamed”.