Published: Tuesday, 15th April, 2008 4:30pm

Church raided during mass

by Lorraine Tinney

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A CHURCH was raided as 300 worshippers celebrated mass.

A money box and handbag were stolen from St Mary"s in Greenock"s Patrick Street by a sick thief who struck during a Sunday service.

Monsignor John Tormey, right, was leading the 10am mass when the raider kicked in the door of the church"s shop. A volunteer had her handbag taken and the money box was lifted.

Mgr Tormey, who was saying mass at the time, said: 'A passkeeper heard the door being kicked in and saw a man with a red scarf run out the side door.

'The empty tin and red scarf were found in Robertson Street. This is the first time in eight years anything like this has happened.

'It"s a sad thing, if people ask for money they will get it. If people are in genuine need, all they need to do is ring the bell and we"ll help them.

'It was upsetting for the lady who lost her bag, which had her purse with £50 and house keys in it. She"s not been well over the past couple of weeks and she was just getting back on her feet. The money box had about £20 in it.

'Most people in Inverclyde are good people but when people get desperate they do desperate things.'

Police are appealing for anyone who was in the church or in the Patrick Street area on Sunday to call them on 492500.

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