The scene has been sealed off to facilitate a forensic examination by a team from the Garda Technical Bureau. Gardaí are appealing to any witnesses or to anyone with any information about the incident to contact them.

Known as the 'St Michan’s mummies', the most well-known of which are the 'big four' who are displayed together with no lids on their coffins. They are made up of the Unknown, the Thief, the Nun and the Crusader. One of them, six-and-a-half foot tall, is believed to have been a soldier who returned from the Crusades. 800 years ago, his height would have made him a veritable giant. He lies with his legs broken under him apparently to fit him in the coffin, and with one of his hands slightly stretched into the air, legend has it that those who touch his finger will have good fortune.

This is unfortunately not the first time that the mummified remains have been impacted, back in February 2019, 'The Crusader' was decapitated during a break-in at the crypt. For a time the church tour was stopped until the head was retrieved and the culprit jailed for five counts of criminal damage, including two of damaging a dead body.