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06 Sept 2025

Man accused of Longford arson attack may seek to have his trial moved elsewhere

Guo Zhong Chen appeared in Longford Circuit Court charged with arson regarding the fire that took place in Grafton Court

Man accused of Longford arson attack may seek to have his trial moved elsewhere

Guo Zhong Chen (55) of 9 Belvedere Terrace, Mullingar, Westmeath is accused of starting the Grafton Court fire

Reporter:

Longford Leader Reporter

14 Jan 2025 4:00 PM

Email:

newsroom@longfordleader.ie

The man charged in connection with the July 28, 2024 fire in Grafton Court, Longford town, which caused millions of euro of damage, may apply to have his case moved out of Longford, it has emerged. 
Guo Zhong Chen (55), of Belvedere Terrace, Mullingar, appeared in Longford Circuit Court today (Tuesday) charged with arson in relation to the Grafton Court fire on July 7, 2024. 
The defendant is also charged with a separate incident of criminal damage to a black Landrover at Townparks, Longford, on July 7, 2024. 
State prosecutor Shane Geraghty BL said that Gardaí have 60 hours of video evidence which was being made available to the defence. 
“It tracks the moment of the accused on certain dates,” he added. 
Barrister Martin Durack, defending, told Judge Kenneth Connolly a jury will be required when the case is heard. 
He stated there was some ‘preliminary matters’ to deal with prior to that. Mr Durack said his client has linguistic difficulties and struggled to read even in his own language. 
Last October, Chen applied through his legal representative to have the book of evidence against him transferred into audio. 
Mr Durack told Judge Kenneth Connolly the file is 700 pages long and that process is underway. “There is another application that may be brought and that is whether it (the case) should be moved to Dublin or Mullingar,” he said. “That is an application I will be bringing when I get further clarification.” 
The reason behind an application to move the case is due to the significant number of people who were impacted by the large fire in Longford town.
Judge Connolly stated that it seems the case is going to take a considerable amount of time. 
He noted there is a ‘change or circumstances’ with the book of evidence, there is video footage that needs to be viewed and there may be an application to move the case from Longford. 
Judge Connolly stated that he would consider a bail application but only when Chen is familiar with the case and his defence team have all the relevant information. 
Judge Connolly remanded the defendant in custody until February 13 next for mention. He directed that Chen has access to all appropriate medical care while he is in custody.

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