'Exceptional' prisoner who teaches other prisoners to cook pleads guilty to €3m Longford arson

A Chinese national has pleaded guilty to arson that caused more than an estimated €3 million in damages at Grafton Court in Longford town last year.

Guo Zhong Chen (55), of 9 Belvedere Terrace, Mullingar, Co Westmeath, who spoke with the help of an interpreter, issued his plea on Tuesday afternoon at Longford Circuit Court in relation to the arson, which took place on July 28, 2024.

The court heard a separate incident of criminal damage to a black Land Rover at Townparks, Longford, on July 7, 2024 will be taken into consideration.

Mr Chen, who is detained in Castlerea prison,  and whose trial was expected to last three weeks  entered his guilty plea through an interpreter.

Judge Kenneth Connolly directed that a pre-sanction probation report be compiled on the defendant who has been in custody since he was arrested two weeks after the Grafton Court fire last August.

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When the case came before Longford Circuit Court last May, it was heard that, while Mr Chen had received the book of evidence translated into Mandarin, he could not understand the entirety of the document.

Barrister Luke O'Higgins, defending, said that issue had led to a delay in him issuing his plea and Judge Connolly stated he would accept it as an early plea.

Judge Connolly heard Mr Chen has been what was described as an 'exceptional' prisoner and he has worked in the kitchen since he entered Castlerea Prison where he teaches other prisoners to cook.

The governor outlined in a letter Mr Chen has been an 'enhanced' prisoner since last August and there were no security issues with him.

The governor stated if the defendant continued to behave in such a manner it was expected Mr Chen would be given permission to work in the prison canteen in the near future.

Judge Connolly remanded Mr Chen in custody to appear again at Longford Circuit Court on February 3, 2026 for sentencing.

Also read: Woman in court accused of stealing groceries from county Longford shop worth €800