'A very dark day' - Archbishop devastated after mummies at Irish church set on fire

A Church of Ireland Archbishop has spoken out after mummies at an ancient Irish church were set on fire. 

Archbishop Michael Jackson spoke to Newstalk Breakfast this morning (June 12) following the incident at St Michan's Church in Dublin yesterday afternoon (June 11). 

Gardaí and emergency services including Dublin Fire Brigade attended the scene at approximately 4.30pm to attend to the fire.

No injuries were reported. 

However, the Archbishop confirmed there was "significant devastation" in the crypt beneath the church, which houses the mummified remains of people from the Middle Ages. 

Describing the incident as "a very dark day", he said, "The combination, as you would expect, of fire and water doesn't give us as much hope as we'd like.

"Inevitably the Fire Brigade had to come and do the work that they do because the crypt is underneath what is a very old church.

"So we need to wait but early signs are not good." 

The Archbishop confirmed he has asked the National Museum to come to the church - which was founded in 1095 - for an assessment of the damage. 

A man has since appeared in court following the destruction at the church. 

He was charged with an offence under the Criminal Damage Act 1991 and was scheduled to appear before a sitting of the Criminal Courts of Justice at approximately 10.30am this morning. 

Investigations by Gardaí are ongoing and a forensic examination is currently underway.