All tours at St Michan’s Church in Dublin, have been cancelled for the foreseeable future after the head of an 800 year old mummy known as The Crusader was stolen by vandals.
The shocking act of vandalism was discovered at lunchtime on Monday, when a tour guide was preaping the church for visitors.
Speaking to RTÉ’s Liveline programme, Archdeacon David Pierpoint, told the host Philip Boucher-Hayes, that The Crusader’s head had been removed from his body.
Archdeacon Pierpoint, also told the programme that a number of mummies had been vandised at the Crypt, including that of a 400 year old nun.
It is understood that an investigation into the brutal act of vandalism is under way, however Archdeacon Pierpoint said that he was saddened by the act which will have a lasting effect on the community.
Archdeacon Pierpoint also confirmed that all tours had been immediately cancelled, before adding that it was a sad day for both the church and humanity.