Church crypt blaze culprit jailed for six years
A man who set a blaze in the crypt of historic St Michan's Church in Dublin 7 has been jailed for six years.
In court, Archdeacon David Pierpoint described the fire in the church's crypt, which damaged 800-year-old mummified remains, as "an act of desecration and sacrilege" during the sentencing hearing.
Cristian Topiter (39), who had pleaded guilty to arson, appeared via video link at Dublin Central Criminal Court (20 February).
The remains were described to the court by prosecuting counsel Diana Stuart BL as "irreplaceable" and "priceless".
The court heard that Topiter of Grand Canal House, Lower Rathmines Road, Dublin 6, had a previous conviction for arson from the North, in which €300,000 worth of damage was caused to a building.
He also has previous convictions for possession of drugs, burglary, theft, and common assault.
Archdeacon Pierpoint said the mummified remains also generated annual revenues of between €75,000 to €100,000.
Financial crisis
The tours stopped after the arson, resulting in a "financial crisis" for the maintenance of the parish church, which was built in 1192.
"We are the custodians of the human remains in the crypt. We have the privilege and burden to ensure such remains are passed onto the generations to come," he said in court.
Two of the mummies had been "burnt beyond recognition", while the water used to quench the fire had caused damage to others.
Oisin Clarke BL, defending, said that his client was an addict and was remorseful, ashamed, and embarrassed, and recognised the impact of his actions.
Topiter apologised in a letter to court for "jeopardising a national relic".