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Westmeath Man Charged With Alleged Longford Arson Still Struggling With Book Of Evidence

Friday, 9 May 2025 06:43

The accused is awaiting an audio translation of the book of evidence for the case.

A Westmeath restaurateur accused of an arson incident, which forced the closure of over a dozen businesses and caused €13m worth of damage to a Longford street on the 9th of August of last year, is due to reappear before Longford Circuit Court in July, when a bail application will be lodged.

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

Mr Chen reappeared this morning before Judge Kenneth Connolly, where it was heard a draft notice of motion and grounding affidavit had been received by the state to move the trial to Dublin Circuit Court.

The accused was requesting a relocation of the jury trial due to "adverse media attention", but Judge Connolly had noted that such applications could not be made until the accused had seen all 60 hours of CCTV footage and read the entire book of evidence.

However, when the case came before the court this morning, 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 for the accused, Christina Burke outlined to the court that the defence team were in the process of providing an audio translation of the relevant parts of the book, with a documentary junior singling out the bits Mr Chen needed.

She also indicated that a bail application would be made on behalf of her client in July due to difficulties he’s having with medical issues while incarcerated.

Judge Connolly stressed that the state should be on notice of any bail application three weeks prior to the next court date, otherwise it wouldn't be heard.

He remanded Mr Chen in custody to reappear on July 15 at 10.30am for a pre-trial hearing with regard to the relocation of the trial, as well as a bail hearing.

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