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Longford businesswoman got 'absolutely nothing' from department after arson attack

Jul 8, 2026 07:41
By Eoghan Murphy
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Longford businesswoman got 'absolutely nothing' from department after arson attack
The fire happened on Grafton Court in July 2024

Pauline Belton owned and ran Grafters Hair Salon in Longford Town for 24 years before a blaze two years ago forced her to shut down permanently.

A Longford hairdresser impacted by the arson attack at Grafton Court says her experience has put her off from returning to self-employment.

Pauline Belton owned and ran Grafters Hair Salon in Longford Town for 24 years before a blaze two years ago forced her to shut down permanently.

Her businesses was one of 19 affected by the arson attack on Oyama Sushi Restaurant on July 28th 2024.

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The man responsible, 57-year-old Chinese national Guo Zhong Chen, of Belvedere Terrace, Mullingar, was sentenced to ten and a half years in prison, with Judge Kenneth Connolly suspending the final 18 months.

Pauline Belton says she has not received any financial assistance to reopen her business:

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