The Director of Public Prosecutions must issue directions or else the case of a man accused of destroying "priceless" ancient mummies following a fire at St Michan's Church in Dublin "will be struck out", a judge has warned.
Christian Topiter, 38, has been held in prison custody on remand for over two months and needs €4,000 lodged in court before he can be released.
A fire happened at around 4pm on 11 June and water damage is believed to have ruined five mummified remains, including an 800-year-old artefact known as 'The Crusader'.
The former security guard appeared again at Cloverhill District Court when gardaí sought further time to get the DPP's direction on the accused's trial venue.
Judge Alan Mitchell said the case had already been before him several times for gardaí to have the directions.
"Looking at the offence it should have been straightforward, maybe not," Judge Mitchell said.
Defence counsel Alex MacDonnell submitted that the case should be marked peremptory against the State on the next occasion.
Judge Mitchell acceded to the counsel's request and adjourned the case for two weeks for directions to be given to gardaí, "or it will be struck out", adding "that will make the news".
The case resumes on 10 September.
Former security guard Christian Topiter, previously of Grand Canal House, Lower Rathmines Road, Dublin 6, was charged with causing criminal damage at St Michan's Church to mummified remains, property of Church of Ireland Archdeacon of Dublin & Vicar of St Michan's Church David Pierpoint.
Apart from The Crusader, the other mummies date back 400 years