Courts

Man to be sentenced for arson at Dublin church that damaged mummified remains

Cristian Topiter (39) is anxious to be sentenced as soon as possible, court hears

21/04/2017 STOCK: The Courts of Criminal Justice on Parkgate St. Dublin Photograph: Dave Meehan/The Irish Times The Criminal Courts of Justice Exterior view CCJ
Cristian Topiter will be sentenced on February 20th next after admitting to arson at St Michan’s Church in Dublin last June. Photograph: Dave Meehan
Eimear Dodd
Fri Dec 13 2024 - 18:24

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, on Friday 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 committed arson at St Michan’s Church on June 11th last and damaged, by fire, mummified remains.

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

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

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