St. Michan's Church vandalised

A MAN WHO pulled off the mummified head of an 800-year-old ‘Crusader’ from a crypt and stole it has being jailed for 28 months.

After his arrest Brian Bridgeman (36) told gardaí that he woke up in the crypt in St Michan’s Church, Church Street, Dublin and didn’t know where he was.
“I thought I was dreaming, it wasn’t reality,” he told them.

He said he didn’t remember damaging the coffins and skeletons and said he was “was out of my head” on alcohol and Xanax tablets.

After leaving the church he fell asleep in town and realised when he woke up again that he had two skulls in his bag.

He said he panicked and wanted to bring them back but was afraid of being caught. He said didn’t think it was funny.

Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that a few weeks later he left the skulls in a bag in a hedgerow on the church ground with a note stating “sorry RIP”.
Bridgeman of Fortlawn Park, Blanchardstown, Dublin was identified on CCTV in the area and later pleaded guilty to burglary of the vaults between 23 and 24 February last. He also admitted five counts of criminal damage, including two of damaging a dead body