Fire Destroys Ancient Mummies in St. Michan’s Church Crypt, Dublin
Dublin: A man has been arrested in connection with the arson attack on the ancient mummies housed in the crypt of St. Michan’s Church on Dublin’s Church Street. The fire, which caused significant damage to these priceless historical artefacts, was quickly extinguished by the Dublin Fire Brigade and the Gardaí. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
The arrested individual is currently in custody at a Dublin Garda station. Gardaí informed the court that the destruction of such invaluable historical objects falls under criminal damage offences, punishable by up to 10 years in prison. The defendant’s lawyer sought bail for his client, who works as a security guard, receives social welfare payments, and participates in charity work.
The Church of Ireland confirmed the devastating impact on the crypt, which contained several mummies, including the remains of an 800-year-old crusader. Following the incident, Archbishop Michael Jackson visited St. Michan’s and expressed his deep concern over the damage to these historical relics, which are integral to Dublin’s heritage and a major attraction for both local and international visitors.
Archdeacon David Pierpoint, Vicar of St. Michan’s, emphasised the church’s robust security measures, including operational CCTV, the footage of which has been handed over to Gardaí. He also mentioned plans to consult with the National Museum to explore possibilities for restoring and repairing the damaged mummies.
Irish Samachar English News
{OR} Kindly click to follow the Irish Samachar News channel on WhatsApp