ABUSE CHARGE Catholic priest charged with alleged child sex offences and removed from Glasgow parish

By Rebecca Gray
Scottish Sun
June 28, 2020

https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/news/5751302/catholic-priest-charged-child-sex-offences-glasgow-arrested/

St Thomas Apostle RC Church, Cumbernauld Road, Glasgow

A CATHOLIC priest has been charged over alleged child sex offences, we can reveal.

Father Neil McGarrity, 56, was removed from his parish in Riddrie, Glasgow, after he was arrested by cops over the allegations.

The clergyman, who leads services at St Thomas the Apostle Church, is accused of alleged offences over a number of years.

A source said: “The allegations have left the congregation stunned.

“Father McGarrity is the senior priest at St Thomas and has been there for a long time.

“Everyone is in complete shock.”

All the alleged incidents are said to have taken place between December 2017 and March of this year.

Cops said a man aged 56 was arrested as part of a probe into alleged “sexual offences involving children”.

Church chiefs confirmed Father McGarrity, who is also the administrator at nearby St Bernadette’s Parish in Carntyne, had been put on leave while police carry out the investigation.

In a statement to parishioners, they said: “Due to a serious safeguarding concern being raised, the Archdiocese of Glasgow has removed Fr Neil McGarrity, Parish Priest of St Thomas Parish and administrator of St Bernadette’s Parish, from public ministry while inquiries are ongoing.

“The pastoral care of these parishes will be entrusted to another priest until the situation is resolved.

“The Archdiocese is cooperating fully with Police Scotland in their inquiries.

“It is the clear policy of the Archdiocese that any concerns raised regarding children, young people and vulnerable adults will always be treated with the utmost care and concern.

“The church has a mandatory policy of reporting to the statutory agencies and this procedure has been followed in this case.

“Anyone concerned about any aspect of safeguarding issues should contact our safeguarding adviser.”

Father McGarrity, who was ordained in 1989, was charged by police and released on an undertaking last week.

He is due to appear at Glasgow Sheriff Court at a later date.

A Police Scotland spokeswoman said: “A 56-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with alleged sexual offences involving children under the age of 16 years which happened in Glasgow between December 2017 and March 2020.

“He was released on undertaking and is expected to appear at Glasgow Sheriff Court at a later date.”