Guo Zhong Chen continues to be remanded in custody.
An application to move the trial of a man accused of a Longford arson incident, which caused €13m worth of damage and forced over a dozen businesses to close, is due to be made in May before Judge Kenneth Connolly at Longford Circuit Court.
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 before Judge Connolly this afternoon, where it was heard the book of evidence is slowly being translated into mandarin and an audio format.
Of approximately 60 hours of CCTV, a montage of one hour and 30 minutes has been played for Mr Chen, with a necessity to play the remainder of the footage.
Mr Chen has said that he wishes to view the footage in its entirety and is requesting a jury trial, but does not wish to have that jury trial in Longford due to “adverse media attention”.
“We can’t do that until he’s seen all the footage and the book of evidence,” said Judge Connolly, noting that it could take up to four weeks for that to be done.
He granted an application to extend legal aid to a documentary junior counsel in an effort to expedite matters, “because otherwise he could be facing a lengthy time on remand”.
The legal aid was also extended for all translation purposes.
Judge Connolly remanded Mr Chen to May 8, 2025, stressing that any application to move the location of the trial should be brought on that day, with the state to be on three weeks' notice.
“After that, I won’t entertain it,” he concluded.
Authorities In Offaly Approve Dredging Along Part Of River Shannon
Laois Man Nears Finish Line Natiowide Charity Walk
€40m Worth Of Irish Peat Exported In 2025
Gardaí Host Firearms Licensing Information Stand In Offaly Today
Irish Rail Services Reduced After Westmeath Graffiti Incident
Met Éireann Issues Nationwide Wind Warning For Entire Country
Midlands Lotto Player Lands €250k
Westmeath Students Aim For Gold At National Entrepreneur Finals
14 Counties See No New Bus Shelter Installations In 2025
Construction Begins On GAA Club Grounds In Laois
Close To 900 Children In Midlands On Primary Care Psychology Waiting Lists
Health Minister And HSE Issue Formal Public Apology To Midlands Family
EU Approves New Plan To Boost Home Building And Curb Short-Term Lets
Safer Roads Conference To Look At Road Design, Engineering And Enforcement
Status Yellow Wind Warning Issued For Tomorrow
Midlands School Runner-Up At Certified Irish Angus Schools Competition
Midlands Town To Get New Fire Station
First Time Buyers In Offaly Town Could Wait Over 70 Years For Home
Survey Shows One In Three Women Downplay Female Health Issues At Work
Push For Government To Consider Other Climate Goal Options