Wednesday 28 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 5689Criminal damage · Co. Dublin · 11 Jun 2024

Man charged with criminal damage to mummified remains at St Michan's Church, Dublin

On the afternoon of Tuesday 11 June 2024, a fire broke out in the crypt of St Michan's Church on Church Street, Dublin 7, and water used to extinguish it is believed to have ruined five mummified remains, including one known as The Crusader. Gardaí arrested Christian Topiter, 38, a part-time security guard, who was detained overnight at a Dublin garda station. He was charged with causing criminal damage at the church to mummified remains and appeared at Dublin District Court on Wednesday 12 June 2024, where he has not entered a plea and was remanded in custody with consent to bail on set terms. He is due to appear by video link at Cloverhill District Court the following Tuesday.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrested11 Jun
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court12 Jun
    2 reports
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
A fire broke out in the crypt of St Michan's Church in Dublin on Tuesday 11 June 2024.
Cause
Water used to extinguish the fire is believed to have ruined five mummified remains, including an 800-year-old mummy known as The Crusader.
Where
The fire was at a premises on Church Street, Dublin 7, in the crypt of St Michan's Church.
When
Sources give the fire time as about 4pm, while one source gives about 4.30pm.
Investigation
  • A tour guide raised the alarm after noticing smoke in the vault, and Dublin Fire Brigade extinguished the flames and made the area safe.
  • Gardaí arrested Christian Topiter, 38, a part-time security guard, and detained him overnight at a Dublin garda station under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984.
  • Gardaí said there is CCTV evidence and that the arrested man was seen shortly afterwards wearing distinct clothing, and they have not established a reason for the incident.
  • The Garda Technical Bureau sealed the scene for forensic examination, and no tours can take place until further notice.
Charges
  • The man was arrested for an alleged offence under the Criminal Damage Act 1991.
  • He was charged with causing criminal damage at St Michan's Church to mummified remains, an offence that gardaí say could carry a maximum sentence of 10 years.
In court
  • He appeared before Judge Shalom Binchy at Dublin District Court on Wednesday 12 June 2024, has not entered a plea, and was granted legal aid.
  • He was remanded in custody with consent to bail on set terms, including a €10,000 bond with €2,000 lodged and a €10,000 independent surety with €2,000 lodged, while the Irish Times reports he needs €4,000 lodged before release.
  • Bail conditions require him to stay away from St Michan's Church and not contact witnesses, and he is due to appear by video link at Cloverhill District Court the following Tuesday.
Other details
No injuries were reported.
42 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA man was arrested after a fire was set in a historic Dublin church, destroying mummified remains. (dublinlive.ie)
  • whatWater used to extinguish a fire destroyed mummified remains in the crypt of St Michan’s Church. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatWater damage is believed to have ruined five mummified remains, including an 800-year-old artefact known as The Crusader. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatA fire damaged mummified remains in the crypt. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe fire was at a premises on Church Street, Dublin 7. (dublinlive.ie)
  • whereThe church is on Church Street. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe mummified remains were in the crypt of St Michan's Church in Dublin. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe fire occurred on the afternoon of Tuesday 11 June 2024, at approximately 4.30pm. (dublinlive.ie)
  • whenThe fire broke out at about 4pm on a Tuesday. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe fire happened at around 4pm on a Tuesday. (irishmirror.ie)
  • causeWater used to put out the fire is believed to have ruined five mummified remains. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationA full forensic examination of the scene was underway. (dublinlive.ie)
  • investigationDublin Fire Brigade extinguished the flames before they spread and made the area safe. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationGardaí arrested the accused and he was detained overnight at a north Dublin station. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationGardaí said there was CCTV evidence and that the accused was arrested shortly afterwards wearing distinct clothing. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationGardaí have been unable to establish a reason for the incident. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe Garda Technical Bureau sealed off the scene for forensic examination, and no tours can take place until further notice. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationGardaí arrested Christian Topiter, 38. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationThe Garda Technical Bureau sealed off the scene for a forensic examination. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeThe man was arrested for an alleged offence under the Criminal Damage Act 1991. (dublinlive.ie)
  • chargeThe accused was charged with causing criminal damage at St Michan’s Church to mummified remains. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeThe offence could carry a maximum 10-year sentence, according to the garda. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeChristian Topiter was charged with causing criminal damage at St Michan's Church to mummified remains. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe accused appeared before Judge Shalom Binchy at Dublin District Court on a Wednesday. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe accused was remanded in custody, with consent to bail on set terms. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe accused’s bond was set at €10,000, of which €2,000 must be lodged. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtA €10,000 independent surety approved with a €2,000 lodgement is also required. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtBail conditions require him to stay away from St Michan’s Church and not contact witnesses. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe accused has yet to enter a plea and was granted legal aid. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtHe appeared before Judge Shalom Binchy at Dublin District Court on Wednesday. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtHe has yet to enter a plea and was granted legal aid. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe judge set a bond of €10,000, of which €2,000 must be lodged. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtHe was remanded in custody with consent to bail and was to appear by video link at Cloverhill District Court the following Tuesday. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe fire was in a crypt. (dublinlive.ie)
  • otherThe fire was extinguished by Dublin Fire Brigade and the area made safe. (dublinlive.ie)
  • otherNo injuries had been reported at the time. (dublinlive.ie)
  • otherMummies believed to be destroyed include an 800-year-old mummy known as 'The Crusader'. (dublinlive.ie)
  • otherThe arrested man was detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 at a Garda station in the Dublin area. (dublinlive.ie)
  • otherA tour guide raised the alarm after noticing smoke in the vault. (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
  • otherNo injuries were reported. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherNo injuries have been reported. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherNo tours can take place until further notice. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 12 Jun2024
    In courtirishmirror.ie, first report
    Man (38) charged with causing criminal damage to 'priceless' mummies in crypt

    Original report of the charge and first court appearance at Dublin District Court. The incident date is inferred from the article's 'on Tuesday' and its 12 June 2024 publication date.

    accused, Christian Topiter, 38, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Christian Topiter
  2. 12 Jun2024
    In courtirishtimes.com, follow-up
    Man charged over fire leading to destruction of ‘irreplaceable’ mummies at St Michan’s Church

    Names the accused as Christian Topiter, 38, and reports the charge, the court appearance before Dublin District Court, the bail terms, the five mummified remains including The Crusader, the garda objections to bail, and the investigation details.

    accused, Christian Topiter, 38, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Christian Topiter
  3. 11 Jun2024
    Arresteddublinlive.ie, follow-up
    Man arrested as fire destroys mummified remains at Dublin church

    Reports the arrest of a male for an alleged offence under the Criminal Damage Act 1991 and that mummified remains, including an 800-year-old mummy known as 'The Crusader', are believed destroyed.

    suspect, male