Several mummified bodies have been severely damaged or destroyed, consequent to a fire at Dublin’s St Michan’s Church. Forensic experts are thoroughly analysing the remnants in the Church Street, Dublin 7 site, following the arrest of a suspect at the scene. One of the mummified bodies claimed by the blaze was the ancient ‘Crusader’ mummy, an 800-year-old artefact whose head was pilfered and later retrieved in 2019.
The church area continues to be cordoned off as a crime zone after the fire was smothered by the Dublin Fire Brigade. The church issued a statement saying the frequently visited crypt has been broken into and desecrated.
In a state of dismay, Archbishop Michael Jackson of the Church of Ireland lamented repeating acts of vandalism in the crypt. He highlighted the irreplaceable loss and monumental damage to the mummies which are an integral part of Dublin’s history and a sight of fascination for local and international tourists. The future of the mummies is uncertain, according to the Archbishop and the Archdeacon of Dublin, who fear that the precious national relics might have been permanently devastated.
Archdeacon David Pierpoint, the vicar of St Michan’s – a subpart of the Christ Church Cathedral Group of Parishes, mentioned that the incident was recorded by security cameras and the footage is with the Gardaí. Upon being given entry to the crime site, he identified that the mummies are surrounded by a foot of water, an environment unsuitable for mummified remains. Fearing permanent damage, particularly to the Crusader, he plans to consult the National Museum for potential salvage efforts.
Rushing to the incident site around 4.30pm, the Gardaí and emergency services confirmed that the fire has been successfully put out by the Dublin Fire Brigade and the area is now secure. Thankfully, no casualties have been reported at the moment and a continued forensic examination of the site is in process. The man, arrested suspected of the incident, is apprehended for an alleged offence under the Criminal Damage Act and is being held in custody.
In the month of February, 2019, the catacombs had to be briefly shut down due to malicious damage. It was upon examination that a tour guide noticed the decapitated head of the Crusader corpse, which had been stolen but then subsequently found. The skull of a preserved nun, deceased for three centuries, had been rotated 180 degrees to face the incorrect way. Additionally, another mummy had been moved onto its side.