The trial of a man charged with an arson incident in Longford Town last year may see an application for a change of location.
The incident forced the closure of over a dozen businesses and caused €13 million worth of damage.
Guo Zhong Chen of 9 Belvedere Terrace, Mullingar, Co Westmeath, is before the courts charged with the arson, which took place on 28 July 2024, and a separate incident of criminal damage to a black Landrover at Townparks, Longford, on 7 July 2024.
The 55-year-old appeared before Judge Kenneth Connolly at Longford Circuit Court following a book of evidence being served on him in early December.
His counsel, Mr Martin Durack BL, told the court that his client has some learning difficulties and that the book of evidence was not only being translated to Mandarin, but also an audio version to accommodate Mr Chen.
He also said that there is currently CCTV evidence amounting to 60 hours of footage and, while investigating gardaí have reduced that down to "a CCTV narrative", it will still need to be viewed.
Mr Durack also told the court that, in due course, an application may be brought regarding the trial itself and the selection of a jury.
Due to the large number of people affected by the extensive fire damage during the incident, there may be an application to move the trial to another location.
Mr Chen was refused bail at both the District Court and High Court.
However, Mr Durack stated there has been a change in circumstances and, while no application was brought before the court today, there may be an application for bail in due course.
Judge Connolly said that he "would entertain a bail application in this court", but only when Mr Chen is familiar with the CCTV and book evidence when it has been fully translated.
"It seems all of this will take a considerable amount of time," he said.
Judge Connolly remanded Mr Chen in custody until 13 February to review whether the book of evidence audio translation has been completed.
