'Colossal loss': Victims of Grafton Court fire outline 'utterly horrendous affects'
Judge Kenneth Connolly said the victim impact statements told a story of dreadful and colossal loss being caused to the large number of people due to the arson attack.
Several victim impact statements were read out during the sentencing hearing for Guo Zhong Chen recently with details from the owners of the 19 businesses which were destroyed or significantly damaged in the blaze.
Judge Kenneth Connolly, who heard the testimonies at Longford Circuit Court, said he had a huge amount of sympathy for the victims as he weighed up the nightmare they had experienced.
"One of the things that has impressed me most and probably what I've taken most into consideration in the matter is the utterly horrendous effects on the victims in this case.
"I've heard a number of victim impact statements in the case and I've heard from Pauline Belton in person.
"They each tell a story of dreadful and colossal loss being caused to them as a result of this arson attack."
Longford businesswoman Pauline Belton, who owned and ran Grafters Hair Salon in Longford Town for 24 years, said she suffered greatly when her salon was 'destroyed' in the Grafton Court fire and she was forced her to shut up permanently.
In her victim impact statement she said as a result of the 'malicious act' she was suddenly denied her only reliable and essential source of income at a time of extreme personal vulnerability.
She also stated although her premises was not specifically targeted, "the salon was completely destroyed and it has not been possible for me to rebuild or restart my business, due to my financial position, meaning I am permanently unable to return to work that supported me, my family and my employees".
Mrs Belton outlined in her victim impact statement that she had to endure a "double tragedy" as her beloved husband George died three months before the blaze.
She incurred a financial loss of a total of €110,000 but she suggested the loss of her independence to provide for herself, the loss of a valuable social outlet where her customers were her friends was even more damaging.
Mrs Belton told the Leader following the sentence she was satisfied with the sentence handed down.
"I am quite happy with the sentence. I can breath again. I would have liked a personal apology from Chen even though he did apologise through his barrister, but I'm happy enough."
Mrs Belton was very appreciative of Judge Kenneth Connolly and the way he listened to the many victims whose businesses were destroyed and grateful to the gardaí.
"The judge was very kind, he listened to carefully to everyone who was affected and he considered that during the sentencing.
"I was absolutely mesmerised by the amount of work done by the local gardaí."
She said the amount of CCTV they obtained was incredible and they put a huge amount of work into the investigation.
Mrs Belton said she also had a Garda Liaison Officer who was very supportive.
"The work they did was unbelievable and the judge commended them on that."
Tattoo artist Ruslan Vacika, one of the 19 business owners effected, was the last to provide a victim impact statement to the court.
He described the night of the blaze on July 28, 2024 was the "most frightening and traumatic experience" he had ever experienced.
Mr Vacika said the total loss he incurred was €100,000, with a further €50,000 spent on renovations on his new business premises.
He also stated he lost a personal collection over an 18 year period, which had "significant financial and sentimental value."
The tattoo artist described how he had 'worked so hard' to gather up the collection over a 10-year period, but it was 'destroyed' on the night and he believed the closure of his business due to the excessive damage put his reputation with his clients in jeopardy.
Mr Vacika also spoke about how him and his wife had been making plans and preparing to apply for a mortgage.
However, following the fire they had to forget about those plans and they no longer seemed achievable because of the massive costs, the extensive damage and the significant losses.
Judge Kenneth Connolly also heard the Grafton Court complex owner Dermot Smith, lost a massive €1.6 million because of the devastating damage and rental loss.
Chen outlined in a letter of apology that he struck up a business relationship with a woman Souffrance Wang that he trained, and who he stated was "an invaluable part of the business as my grasp of the English language is poor".
He described Ms Wang as an 'asset' and he said he pleaded with her not to go when she informed him she was leaving their business operation.
Chen said he felt very aggrieved and like he had been 'taken advantage of' despite accepting he had been wrong to have those feelings.
He said he wanted to apologise to the affected business owners, the fire service and gardaí and he then gave a small degree of insight into why he carried out the horrendous and criminal actions.
"I wanted to give her a fright, to scare her. That was my sole intention of setting the fire.
"In hindsight, I see it was a foolish and stupid thing to do. How could I be so stupid and make such reckless mistakes?"
Chen outlined in a letter of apology that he struck up a business relationship with a woman Souffrance Wang that he trained, and who he stated was "an invaluable part of the business as my grasp of the English language is poor".
He described Ms Wang as an 'asset' and he said he pleaded with her not to go when she informed him she was leaving their business operation.
Chen said he felt very aggrieved and like he had been 'taken advantage of' despite accepting he had been wrong to have those feelings.
He said he wanted to apologise to the affected business owners, the fire service and gardaí and he then gave a small degree of insight into why he carried out the horrendous and criminal actions.
"I wanted to give her a fright, to scare her. That was my sole intention of setting the fire.
"In hindsight, I see it was a foolish and stupid thing to do. How could I be so stupid and make such reckless mistakes?"
A letter of apology on behalf of Chen was read out in court where he apologised for what he described as his 'incredibly stupid actions'.