A PRIEST has been left 'badly shaken' following an aggravated burglary at a parochial house in Belfast.
Two men, at least one of which was armed with a gun, forced their way into St Michael the Archangel Parochial House on Finaghy Road North at around 7.50pm.
The men threatened the priest before leaving the scene with a sum of money and a set of keys.
Detective Sergeant Michael Hawthorne said that police inquiries 'were at an early stage' and appealed for witnesses to come forward.
"The priest has been left badly shaken by his ordeal and we are appealing for the public's help in identifying the perpetrators of this crime," he said.
Officers ask anyone with information about the burglary to contact them on 101.
Detectives seek witnesses after two men, one armed with a gun, rob a priest at a parochial house on Finaghy Road North, Belfast this evening
— PSNI (@PoliceServiceNI) July 22, 2016
Sinn Fein MLA Alex Maskey described the attack as "despicable"
"I visited the victim after the incident along with my party colleague Councillor Matt Garrett and while quite shaken he is determined to continue with his duties including a funeral mass tomorrow morning.
"This was a cowardly and despicable attack on someone who serves the local community. Anyone with any information about those responsible should bring it forward to the PSNI."
