Ireland Crime

Named as

Victim

Offences

Arson, Criminal damage

Where

Co. Dublin

Reporting

4 reports, 29 Aug 2024 to 20 Feb 2025

Outlets

thejournal.ie, irishtimes.com

Photographs

as published, with the outlet's credit

Images are shown from the outlet that published them and link back to the article. Copyright stays with the credited photographer or agency.

• Man jailed for six years for arson at St Michan's Church Dublin Arson · Co. Dublin

  On 11 June 2024, a fire was set in the crypt of St Michan's Church in Dublin, damaging mummified remains including an 800-year-old mummy. Cristian Topiter, a 39-year-old man, was arrested the following day and later charged with arson. He affirmed his guilty plea at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court in December 2024. On 20 February 2025, Topiter was sentenced to six years' imprisonment, backdated to 11 June 2024, after Archdeacon David Pierpoint described the fire as an act of desecration and sacrilege.

  Sentenced, 20 Feb 2025Victim · 2 reports
• Man sent for trial on arson charge over St Michan's fire Criminal damage · Co. Dublin

  A fire broke out in the crypt of St Michan's Church in Dublin at approximately 4.30pm on 11 June 2024, and water used to extinguish it is believed to have ruined five mummified remains, including an 800-year-old artefact known as The Crusader. Christian Topiter, 38, was arrested the same day and charged with causing criminal damage to the mummified remains, property of David Pierpoint, Church of Ireland Archdeacon of Dublin and Vicar of St Michan's Church. He appeared at Dublin District Court on 12 June 2024 and was remanded in custody. On 10 September 2024, the DPP replaced the criminal damage charge with arson, added a robbery charge, and directed that Topiter be sent for trial on indictment at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, where he was remanded to 17 September.

  In court, 12 Jun 2024Victim · 2 reports

Each entry shows how that report described them.

1. 20 Feb2025
   Sentencedthejournal.ie, in Man jailed for six years for arson at St Michan's Church Dublin

   Man who set fire to church crypt containing historic mummified remains jailed for six years

   victim, David Pierpoint, irish (judged from name)David PierpointIE
2. 20 Feb2025
   Sentencedirishtimes.com, in Man jailed for six years for arson at St Michan's Church Dublin

   ‘An act of desecration’: Man jailed for six years for starting fire in Dublin church crypt

   victim, David Pierpoint, male, irish (judged from name)David Pierpoint♂IE
3. 10 Sep2024
   In courtthejournal.ie, in Man sent for trial on arson charge over St Michan's fire

   Arson charge brought against man accused of attack that destroyed ancient mummies

   victim, David Pierpoint, irish (judged from name)David PierpointIE
4. 29 Aug2024
   In courtthejournal.ie, in Man sent for trial on arson charge over St Michan's fire

   Judge gives DPP deadline for progress over destroyed church mummies

   victim, David Pierpoint, irish (judged from name)David PierpointIE

Matched on the name as printed, ignoring quoted nicknames, and split by the ages reported. Two people who share a name and age would appear together here.