An arson charge has been brought against a man accused of destroying “priceless” ancient mummies following a fire at St Michan’s Church in Dublin.
Christian Topiter, 38, who has been in custody on remand for almost three months, appeared before Judge Alan Mitchell at Cloverhill District Court on Tuesday.
Mr Topiter, previously of Grand Canal House, Lower Rathmines Road, Dublin 6, was originally charged with causing criminal damage on June 11 at St Michan’s Church to mummified remains, property of Church of Ireland Archdeacon of Dublin and vicar of St Michan’s Church David Pierpoint.
However, on Tuesday, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) authorised that the charge be replaced with another similar one stating the damage was caused by arson. Garda James Kenny said Mr Topiter made no reply when the offence was put to him.
However, he told the garda: “That wasn’t me,” in response to a second fresh charge for robbing a person in Smithfield, Dublin, of a suitcase on the same date.
The DPP has directed that Mr Topiter be sent forward for trial on indictment before a judge and jury in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, which has broader sentencing power.
The DPP also said Mr Topiter could be sent forward on a signed plea of guilty, should that arise.
He added that he expected the book of evidence to be ready at the next hearing.
Defence counsel Eloise Flynn asked for some disclosure beforehand so the accused could consider the allegations. The judge agreed to include that in his order.
The former security guard had initially been granted bail of €4,000 but was never able to take it up, and he made no application for bail on the new charges on Tuesday.
Judge Mitchell remanded him in custody to appear again on September 17.
A blaze broke out at about 4pm on June 11, and water damage is believed to have ruined five mummified remains, including an 800-year-old artefact known as ‘The Crusader’. The other mummies date back 400 years.
Garda Kenny had told a bail hearing on June 12 there was CCTV evidence and alleged the accused was arrested shortly afterwards wearing distinctive clothing.
A witness allegedly told gardaí there was a person “locked behind gates where this incident occurred, where he would have had to forcibly enter”.
Mr Topiter lived 200m away in a hostel beside Merchants Quay.
Garda Kenny said historical artefacts of this nature were priceless and irreplaceable.
The garda maintained the offence was at the higher end of criminal damage offences, which could carry a maximum 10-year sentence.
Responding to bail objections, the defence had said Mr Topiter had “clear ties” to Ireland and was in a four-and-a-half-year relationship with his fiancee.
His solicitor argued there was no evidence before the court that his client would interfere with witnesses. That court hearing was also told the accused had been in a stable relationship, worked as a security guard, received social welfare payments, and participated in a charity soup run.
The defence submitted Mr Topiter had an immigration identity card issued by gardaí, was presumed innocent, and would obey conditions. The hearing was also told he had no history of serious offences.
