The result leaves Glasgow anchored in second last place in the Celtic League and they could find themselves bottom if Borders can take something from their game against Llanelli Scarlets in Wrexham tomorrow.
Glasgow started well enough but they were soon swept aside by Leinster's speed and power, and by the end, they were a well beaten and dispirited team.
Glasgow broke the deadlock in the ninth minute with a Dan Parks penalty, with Brian O'Meara equalising for Leinster. Glasgow then had two chances to edge back in front, but Parks was off-target with a drop-goal and another penalty attempt.
Glasgow were made to pay for their lapses as Leinster seized control before the break. They broke through with a try by wing Peter McKenna. O'Meara slotted the conversion from the widest possible angle then struck two penalties to create a 13-point gap.
Leinster upped the pace again after the restart to effectively kill off sloppy Glasgow with another touchdown. This time McKenna was the provider, giving full-back Gordon D'Arcy the time and space to trot behind the posts to give O'Meara the formality of a conversion.
He followed up with a fourth penalty before Glasgow finally broke the Irish defence through substitute Rory McKay after a fine run by Gareth Maclure. Calvin Howarth added the goal only to see Aidan Kearney snatch an interception try for Leinster at the other end.
This was one of the poorest Glasgow displays seen at Hughenden and they are badly missing the influence of Cammy Mather. They were always under pressure in scrum and lineout and what little possession they did win they kicked away or lost in contact - rarely can a team have turned the ball over so many times.
In the next few weeks, Glasgow face some tough matches against Ulster in the Celtic Cup, and Montpellier in the European Challenge Cup. These matches could make or break Glasgow's season but a big improvement is required if they wish to maintain their interest in these competitions.