Fears mummies destroyed after fire in crypt of Dublin church

Emergency services were called to the scene shortly after 4:30 this afternoon.

A Garda investigation is underway following a fire at the crypt of St Michan's Church of Ireland in Dublin.

Emergency services were called to the scene shortly after 4.30 on Tuesday afternoon.

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

It is feared that at least some of the remains have been destroyed in the incident.

Following his visit to St Michan's on Tuesday evening, Archbishop Michael Jackson said "significant damage" has been done to the remains.

"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," he added.

“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, who is the Vicar of St Michan’s, said the CCTV footage has been handed to the Gardaí who will now pursue an investigation into the incident.

"We are very grateful to the Gardai and Fire Brigade for their efforts and support in putting out the fire," he said.

“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.”

The fire was extinguished by Dublin Fire Brigade and the area made safe. No injuries have been reported at this time.

A man has been arrested in connection with the incident for an alleged offence under the Criminal Damage Act 1991, and is currently detained pursuant to Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 at a Garda station in the Dublin area.

The scene has been sealed off and a team from the Garda Technical Bureau is currently carrying out a forensic examination.

"Investigations are ongoing," a Garda spokesperson said.