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Middle ages mummies 'beyond repair work' after fire in Dublin church

Five middle ages mummies protected in the crypt of a Dublin church have likely been damaged beyond repair by a fire and water utilized to splash the flames, a church official said on Wednesday.

The five sets of remains, preserved for hundreds of years in the crypt of the 11th century St. Michan's Church in main Dublin, include the remains of a crusader and are a tourist destination in the city.

A burglar broke into the crypt on Tuesday afternoon and began the fire and firemens used water to put it out, the Church of Ireland Archbishop of Dublin, Michael Jackson, informed RTE radio.

The mix of fire and water have actually done substantial damage to the mummies ... I truthfully do not understand exactly what the extent of that is, however my fear like that of others is that the damage is irreparable, Jackson stated.

The remains are because of be examined by experts from the National Museum of Ireland to see if anything can be salvaged, he said.

The vicar of the church, David Pierpoint, informed RTE he believed the mummies were beyond repair work.

(source: Reuters)