Alleged Longford Arson Case Involving Westmeath Man May Be Relocated

Tuesday, 14 January 2025 15:28

The fire in question in this trial led to €13m worth of damage.

The criminal trial of a man charged with an arson incident, which forced the closure of over a dozen businesses and caused €13m worth of damage to a Longford street may see an application for a change of location.

Guo Zhong Chen (55), of 9 Belvedere Terrace, Mullingar, Co Westmeath, is currently before the courts charged with the arson, which took place on August 9, 2024, and a separate incident of criminal damage to a black Landrover at Townparks, Longford, on July 7, 2024.

He appeared this afternoon before Judge Kenneth Connolly at Longford Circuit Court following a book of evidence being served on him in early December.

His counsel, Mr Martin Durack BL, told the court that his client has some learning difficulties and that the book of evidence was not only being translated to mandarin, but also an audio version to accommodate Mr Chen.

He also said that there is currently CCTV evidence amounting to 60 hours of footage and, while investigating Gardaí have reduced that down to “a CCTV narrative”, it will still need to be viewed.

Finally, Mr Durack told the court that, in due course, an application may be brought regarding the trial itself and the selection of a jury.

Due to the large number of people affected by the extensive fire damage during the incident, there may be an application to move the trial to another location.

Mr Chen was refused bail at both the District Court and High Court.

However, Mr Durack stated there has been a change in circumstances and, while no application was brought before the court today, there may be an application for bail in due course.

Judge Connolly said that he “would entertain a bail application in this court”, but only when Mr Chen is familiar with the CCTV and book evidence when it has been fully translated.

“It seems all of this will take a considerable amount of time,” he said, remanding Mr Chen in custody until February 13 to review whether the book of evidence audio translation has been completed.