Longford fire accused dismisses legal team

The man alleged to have started the July 28 fire in Grafton Court, Longford town, which caused millions of euro of damage, has dismissed his legal team.

Guo Zhong Chen (55), of Belvedere Terrace, Mullingar, who was denied High Court bail on August 9, informed Judge Bernadette Owens he no longer wanted to be represented by his legal counsel.
The defendant is charged with arson in relation to the Grafton Court Fire in Longford Town on July 28.

The fire led to the closure of 13 businesses and up to 60 jobs were lost and the accused was arrested at his home on August 8 last.
At Tuesday's sitting of Longford District Court, Mr Chen, who spoke with the aid of a Mandarin interpreter, was asked by defence solicitor Mimnagh if he still wanted to be legally represented by her firm.
“No, I want to change solicitors,” Mr Chen stated.

Following that announcement, senior counsel Dimitry Grinberg BL, instructed by Dublin based law firm, John Shanley Solicitors, spoke to Judge Owens and stated that he was seeking to “come on record” for the accused.
Sgt Conor McShane provided an update to Judge Owens and said an investigation file had been completed and they are awaiting directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) which should be available at the next hearing.

Mr Chen was subsequently remanded in custody by Judge Owens and the case at Longford District Court was adjourned until October 22.
The defendant was denied High Court bail on August 9 after Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring considered the State's objection based on severe nature of the offences and the defendant's limited ties to the region.