Extra security measures have been put in place at a medieval burial site in Ballyfermot in Dublin.
It comes after videos of people appearing to interfere with skeletal remains on the site were widely shared online.
One of the videos shows a small skeleton in the ground at the site of the former De La Salle monastery and primary school in Dublin 10.
A second video shows someone lifting a cover off the remains and touching its teeth.
The National Museum of Ireland and National Monuments Service have said they are aware of 'alleged interference' at the archaeological excavation.
They said they are liaising with Gardaí and warned people against sharing footage of human remains online.
The remains date back as far as 600 AD, according to local People Before Profit councillor Hazel de Nortúin.
She told Newstalk Breakfast she was “shocked” to see the video circulated across the internet.
“It’s frightening and frustrating because of the historical aspect,” she said.
“I don’t think [the person who filmed it] thought the video would go as far and wide and shock people.
“The frustrating point that I had was had anything happened or if they had destroyed anything by just being in or around [the site].”
The footage of the skeleton was first shared on WhatsApp and then on social media, according to Cllr de Nortúin.
Remains in Ballyfermot
The former monastery and school were bought by a private firm some years ago, which discovered the remains while beginning the planning process for reconstruction.
The back area of the site was then closed by Dublin City Council for further investigation while development continues in the front area.
Up to 16 skeletal remains are understood to have been discovered at the site, where 839 housing units are underway.
Cllr de Nortúin said locals in Ballyfermot are still waiting for a report detailing the full excavation findings so it can be incorporated into local history.
“Nothing has been told on it,” she said. “It’s a really slow process.”
She said she hopes it is now clear what remains could be at the Ballyfermot site and people “might give the opportunity now for it to be left alone”.
