Ancient mummy decapitated as robbers target church crypt

AN 800-YEAR-OLD mummy has been decapitated and its head stolen from a church in Dublin.

The head of ‘The Crusader’ was removed from a crypt in St Michan’s Church over the weekend.

A guide discovered the crime when they went to open the church for visitors yesterday afternoon.

The crypt was found to have been badly damaged and several of the mummies, including the 400-year-old remains of a nun, had been desecrated.

The Crusader’s body was turned over and his head removed.

The Archbishop of Dublin Michael Jackson expressed sadness and outrage at the incident.

“I am shocked that someone would target this ancient burial place and desecrate the remains of those lying within it,” he said. MICHAEL JACKSON: The Archbishop expressed sadness and outrage over the incident.

“Not only have these individuals desecrated the sacred crypt but they have destroyed these historic mummies which have been preserved in St Michan’s for hundreds of years.

“I would appeal to those responsible to examine their consciences and return the head of The Crusader to its rightful place.”

Archdeacon David Pierpoint said he had been left “upset and disappointed” that the church has been targeted again after the crypt was previously vandalised in 1996.

“The actions of these people are devastating and sacrilegious,” he said.

“We are upset at the amount of damage that has been caused. But also the crypt will have to close so tourists will not be able to visit. It is very frustrating.

“I would appeal to anyone with information to contact the gardai.”

A spokesman for the gardai said: “Garda are investigating a break-in at St Michan’s Church on Church Street, Dublin. The incident is believed to have occurred between 7pm on Saturday and 8am on Sunday.”