A Chinese national accused of arson that allegedly caused over €3 million in damages to Longford Town is to go on trial later this week.
An application relocate the case to Dublin Circuit Criminal Court was refused earlier this year.
Guo Zhong Chen of 9 Belvedere Terrace, Mullingar, was arrested in August 2024 following a fire that swept through Grafton Court in the town two weeks earlier and impacted a wide range of local businesses.
In the charges faced, it's alleged the Chinese national and naturalised citizen of Ireland set a fire at Oyama Sushi Restaurant in Longford Town on the 28th of July.
Chen, who is now detained in Castlerea prison, was also charged with criminal damage of a vehicle at Townparks in Longford on July 7th.
The defence had lodged a motion to change the venue of the trial away from Longford due to the interest in the case locally and the effect that could have on selecting a jury.
This request was refused by Judge Kenneth Connolly at a sitting of Longford Circuit Court, on the argument that a fair trial could still be ensured in Longford, if the necessary measures were taken.
The case is due for mention in Longford Circuit Court this morning and the trial is due to begin on Friday.
