Photographs reveal extent of damage caused to mummies in church fire

By Cate McCurry, PA

The extent of damage caused to historic mummies after a crypt at St Michan’s Church in Dublin was set on fire has been revealed in a series of photographs.

The blaze happened on Tuesday afternoon after the crypt in Church Street was broken into and vandalised.

A fire was lit in the crypt which houses a number of mummified remains, including those of the 800-year-old “Crusader”.

Photographs released by the Church of Ireland show how the fire burned through the mummified remains.

A man arrested for criminal damage in relation to the incident has since appeared in court in Dublin this week.

Archbishop Michael Jackson, who visited St Michan’s Church earlier this week, said: “I am devastated to say that vandalism has once again struck in the crypt of St Michan’s, Church Street.

“The fire brigade was called and members dealt with the fire.

“However, significant damage has been done to the mummies. These historic remains are woven into the history of the city of Dublin and emblazoned in the imaginations of visitors and tourists from home and abroad.

“We do not yet know what the future is for the mummies as the Archdeacon of Dublin and I fear that they have been destroyed.

“These mummies are a national treasure and I am shocked at the sacrilege of the destruction of the remains of people who once lived.”

Archdeacon David Pierpoint, the vicar of St Michan’s, added: “Our security system is very tight and thankfully we have CCTV in operation.

“The footage has been handed to the gardai and the investigation is in their hands. We are very grateful to the gardai and fire brigade for their efforts and support in putting out the fire.

“The crypt is a crime scene but I have just been given access to see the damage. The mummies are sitting in a foot of water.

“They need a very specific atmosphere and I fear that at least two of the remains, including The Crusader, have been destroyed. I will contact the National Museum to see if anything can be saved.”

St Michan’s Church is one the oldest churches on the north side of the River Liffey and is located in the heart of historic Oxmantown. Its crypt is home to a number of mummified remains.

In February 2019 the crypt was broken into and the head of the 800-year-old Crusader mummy was stolen but was later recovered.

Apart from The Crusader, the crypt is home to the mummified remains of “The Thief” and a man who is reputed to have been buried alive along with other remains whose origins are unknown.

The 400-year-old remains of a nun are also housed in the crypt.