Man to be sentenced for arson of mummified remains in church

By  Eimear Dodd

A man will be sentenced early next year after admitting to arson at St Michan’s Church in Dublin last June in which mummified remains were damaged.

Cristian Topiter (39) of Grand Canal House, Lower Rathmines Road, Dublin 6 appeared before Dublin Circuit Criminal Court having been sent forward from the District Court on a signed guilty plea.

Topiter affirmed his guilty plea to a charge that he did commit arson at St Michan’s Church on June 11 last and did damage by fire mummified remains.

Judge Orla Crowe initially adjourned the case for sentence on March 24 next. Oisin Clarke BL, defending, told the court that Topiter is anxious to be sentenced as soon as possible and wishes to be sentenced by videolink.

Having considered the defence’s application, Judge Crowe agreed to adjourn the case for sentence to February 20 next.

She remanded Topiter in continuing custody until that date and granted a defence application for him to be sentenced by videolink from Cloverhill Prison.