Book of evidence presented to Longford fire accused

The man charged in connection with the July 28, 2024 fire in Grafton Court, Longford town, which caused millions of euro of damage, was served with the book of evidence against him at last week's sitting of Longford District Court.

Guo Zhong Chen (55), of Belvedere Terrace, Mullingar, is charged with arson and Section 2 criminal damage in relation to the Grafton Court fire.

The defendant was represented in proceedings by barrister Christine Burke BL, on behalf of solicitor John Shanley.
Prosecuting Sergeant, Enda Daly, said the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) was seeking to have Mr Chen sent forward for trial on the two charges in the Book of Evidence.

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Ms Burke said her client had difficulty reading, even in his own language. The barrister asked if an audio copy of the book of evidence could be made available in Mandarin Chinese.

Counsel said the “complex and extensive investigation” had yielded over 60 hours of CCTV and extensive recordings of interviews, all of which would require the assistance of a Chinese interpreter present while the legal team went through them with Mr Chen.

Judge Bernadette Owens heard there was no application for bail.

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Judge Owens issued the defendant with an alibi warning, advising him he must notify the State within 14 days if he wished to rely on an alibi in the course of his trial.

Ms Burke made an application for second counsel, however Judge Owens said that application could be made when the matter goes before the Circuit Court.

Judge Owens remanded Mr Chen in custody to appear back before a sitting of Longford Circuit Criminal Court on January 14, 2025.

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