A man was jailed for six years after setting fire to a Dublin church crypt. Mummified remains were significantly damaged.
Archdeacon David Pierpoint called it sacrilege. Cristian Topiter, 39, admitted to arson and appeared in court via video. The crypt houses mummified remains, one being “the Crusader,” 800 years old, and the prosecutor stated that they are priceless.
Topiter admitted guilt on June 11 for arson after signing the guilty plea. Topiter lived on Lower Rathmines Road and had a prior arson conviction, a fire that caused €300,000 in damage. He also had convictions for other crimes, including drugs, burglary, theft, and assault.
The mummies were naturally preserved, and tourists visited the church for years, bringing in €75,000 to €100,000 yearly. Tours stopped after the fire, and the parish now faces a financial crisis. The funds are crucial for maintaining the church, built in 1192.
The fire emotionally impacted the parish, and the Archdeacon felt the loss deeply, also seeing it affecting Dublin. They care for the crypt’s remains and stated that they must protect them for future people.
Two mummies were “burnt beyond recognition.” The fire was put out with water, which also damaged other mummies. Now, the parish will ask for permission to rebury the damaged remains and close the new vault.
His lawyer said Topiter felt remorse, ashamed, and embarrassed. He sees the impact of his actions now and struggles with addiction. He was drunk and took pills that day, recalling little of what happened. The lawyer also said damage wasn’t Topiter’s goal, and the church was simply the location where he was, with no bad intention. Topiter has mental health problems, has been in custody since his arrest, and is doing much better.
Judge Martin Nolan called it a serious crime. Topiter started the fire for unknown reasons, and ancient relics were damaged or destroyed.