The Church of Ireland has been severely criticised by An Taisce for an alleged failure to protect an internationally important archaeological site in its care.
An Taisce claims that St Mary's Church and graveyard in Kilkenny's medieval city centre have been allowed to "fall into serious decline", have "been extensively and insensitively modified" and have "suffered appalling damage through vandalism" over the past 20 years.
Dr Declan Murphy, chairman of An Taisce in Kilkenny, said the disused church had fallen into disrepair, the churchyard was used as a car park and the graveyard's monuments - noted for their "artistry and exquisite carvings" - had been damaged by vandals.
A number of tombs, which are considered important examples of Irish Renaissance architecture, have been desecrated and in one case a stone lid has been smashed and the coffin broken open.
A Heritage Council conservation plan published in 2003 has not been implemented and the site continues to deteriorate.
Dr Murphy said: "Unfortunately, there has been little progress towards implementing the recommendations in that plan and the site remains unkempt and shabby-looking, so much so that it is avoided by the city's tourist trails."
In February, the Church of Ireland applied for planning permission to alter and lower an existing boundary wall and erect new railings around St Mary's, which is located on a lane just yards from the central High Street.
Dr Murphy described this move as "an irrelevant stunt which is poorly thought through".
He said ownership of the site should pass to the local authorities and claimed "the church doesn't want to cede control or ownership of the site".
Kilkenny's local authorities have been trying to acquire the site for many years.
City officials expressed frustration in relation to a deal brokered in the early 1990s to acquire the site for £250,000 which subsequently collapsed.
Cóilín Ó Drisceoil of Kilkenny's Archaeological Society and secretary of An Taisce said it was time for St Mary's to be declared a national monument and taken into State ownership.
"It is abundantly clear that the Church of Ireland does not have the means to care for this site," he said.
The Heritage Council report of 2003 also concluded that the parish "can no longer generate the funds to maintain the site or its buildings or to finance adequate security for the protection of its monuments".
Dean Norman Lynas said the Church of Ireland currently allowed St Mary's to be used by local badminton and bowling clubs as well as for meetings of the Freemasons and had tentative plans to open a drop-in centre for teenagers "as an alternative to drugs and the pub". He said the Church of Ireland was committed to the conservation of St Mary's and was willing to sell to the local authorities "if they make us an offer we can't refuse".
Contacted by The Irish Times, mayor of Kilkenny Martin Brett said "if the vestry wants to sell, we are interested". The matter is likely to be discussed on the fringes of the Church of Ireland general synod which opens in Kilkenny tomorrow.
Up to 700 delegates are expected to attend the three-day event at the Lyrath Estate Hotel and will attend a reception at Kilkenny Castle hosted by Mr Brett on Wednesday evening.