Ireland Crime

Named as

Victim

Offences

Fire at premises (offence not stated)

Where

Co. Longford

Reporting

2 reports, 21 May 2026 to 21 May 2026

Outlets

longfordleader.ie

• 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 2026Victim · 2 reports

Each entry shows how that report described them.

1. 21 May2026
   Convictedlongfordleader.ie, in Man sentenced for arson at Grafton Court in Longford

   'Business disagreement' sparked Longford arson attack which caused €3.5m damage

   victim, Heidi ZhouHeidi Zhou
2. 21 May2026
   Convictedlongfordleader.ie, in Man sentenced for arson at Grafton Court in Longford

   Longford business owners describe 'devastating' impact of Grafton Court arson

   victim, Heidi Zhou, femaleHeidi Zhou♀

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