Ireland Named in reporting
Guo Zhong Chen
Born 1969, from the ages reported. 16 reports across 1 case, 9 Aug 2024 to 18 Jul 2026
Key facts
from every report naming them- Named as
- Convicted, accused
- Born
- 1969, from the ages reported
- Nationality
- Chinese, as stated in a report
- Offences
- Fire at premises (offence not stated)
- Where
- Co. Longford
- Reporting
- 16 reports, 9 Aug 2024 to 18 Jul 2026
- Outlets
- longfordleader.ie, rte.ie
Photographs
as published, with the outlet's credit
Images are shown from the outlet that published them and link back to the article. Copyright stays with the credited photographer or agency.
Cases
latest first- Man sentenced for arson at Grafton Court in Longford Fire at premises (offence not stated) · Co. Longford
A fire broke out at Grafton Court in Longford town in the early hours of 28 July 2024, causing approximately €3.5 million in damage to 19 businesses. Guo Zhong Chen, a 55-year-old Chinese man of Mullingar, Co Westmeath, was arrested on 8 August 2024 and charged with arson; victims included Pauline Belton, whose hair salon was destroyed, and complex owner Dermot Smith. Chen pleaded guilty at Longford Circuit Court on 28 October 2025. On 7 July 2026, Judge Kenneth Connolly sentenced him to 10.5 years in prison with the final 18 months suspended, backdated to 8 August 2024.
Sentenced, 7 Jul 2026Convicted, accused · 16 reports
Timeline
every report naming Guo Zhong Chen, newest firstEach entry shows how that report described them.
- 18 Jul2026'Colossal loss': Victims of Grafton Court fire outline 'utterly horrendous affects'convicted, Guo Zhong Chen, named, non-irish (judged from name)Guo Zhong Chen
- 8 Jul2026Longford woman whose salon was destroyed 'quite happy' with sentence for arson attackconvicted, Guo Zhong Chen, 55, male, namedGuo Zhong Chen
- 7 Jul2026Man jailed for nine years over Longford arson attackconvicted, Guo Zhong Chen, 57, male, Chinese, named, non-irishGuo Zhong Chen
- 7 Jul2026Man jailed for Longford arson attack that caused €3.5 million worth of damageconvicted, Guo Zhong Chen, 55, male, Chinese, named, non-irishGuo Zhong Chen
- 21 May2026'Business disagreement' sparked Longford arson attack which caused €3.5m damageconvicted, Guo Zhong Chen, 57, male, namedGuo Zhong Chen
- 21 May2026Longford business owners describe 'devastating' impact of Grafton Court arsonconvicted, Guo Zhong Chen, 57, male, namedGuo Zhong Chen
- 3 Feb2026Sentencing of man over Longford town arson adjournedconvicted, Guo Zhong Chen, 56, male, namedGuo Zhong Chen
- 3 Feb2026Sentencing of man guilty of Longford arson causing millions of euro worth of damage adjournedconvicted, Guo Zhong Chen, 55, male, Chinese, named, non-irishGuo Zhong Chen
- 28 Oct2025'Exceptional' prisoner who teaches other prisoners to cook pleads guilty to €3m Longford arsonconvicted, Guo Zhong Chen, 55, male, Chinese, named, non-irishGuo Zhong Chen
- 28 Oct2025Man pleads guilty to Longford town arsonconvicted, Guo Zhong Chen, 56, male, namedGuo Zhong Chen
- 20 Jan2025Man accused of Longford arson attack may seek to have his trial moved elsewhereaccused, Guo Zhong Chen, 55, named, non-irish (judged from name)Guo Zhong Chen
- 4 Dec2024Book of Evidence presented to Grafton Court accusedaccused, Guo Zhong Chen, 55, male, namedGuo Zhong Chen
- 4 Nov2024Extra charges for man accused of Longford arson attack which caused millions of euro worth of damageaccused, Guo Zhong Chen, 55, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Guo Zhong Chen
- 22 Oct2024Grafton Court fire accused has charges addedaccused, Guo Zhong Chen, 55, male, namedGuo Zhong Chen
- 13 Sep2024Man accused of Longford arson refused high court bailaccused, Guo Zhong Chen, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Guo Zhong Chen
- 9 Aug2024Man appears in court charged over Longford fireaccused, Guo Zhong Chen, 55, namedGuo Zhong Chen
Matched on the name as printed, ignoring quoted nicknames, and split by the ages reported. Two people who share a name and age would appear together here.