Longford woman whose salon was destroyed 'quite happy' with sentence for arson attack
Pauline Belton who owned and ran Grafters Hair Salon in Longford Town for almost a quarter of a century before it was destroyed in the Grafton Court fire.
A Longford businesswoman, whose popular and long-running hair salon was 'destroyed' in the Grafton Court fire, has said she is 'quite happy' with the sentence handed down to the 57 year-old who carried out the devastating arson attack.
Guo Zhong Chen (55), of 9 Belvedere Terrace, Mullingar, Co Westmeath, who pleaded guilty to arson that caused €3.5 million in damages at Grafton Court in Longford town was handed a 10.5 years prison sentence with the final 18 months suspended at Longford Circuit Court on Monday.
Judge Kenneth Connolly said the incident at 1.30am on July 28, 2024 was premeditated and Chen was effecting revenge and was scornful when he carried out the arson attack.
A total of 19 businesses were ravaged in the fire and the accounts and suffering they endured were relayed to Judge Kenneth Connolly.
The majority of the affected 19 business owners completed victim impact statements with some read into court in May and a further victim impact statements and details outlined on Tuesday.
Pauline Belton who owned and ran Grafters Hair Salon in Longford Town for almost a quarter of a century, but the horrific fire two years ago forced her to shut the doors on her business.
In her victim impact statement she said as a result of the 'malicious act' she was suddenly denied her only reliable and essential source of income at a time of extreme personal vulnerability.
She also stated although her premises was not specifically targeted, "the salon was completely destroyed and it has not been possible for me to rebuild or restart my business, due to my financial position, meaning I am permanently unable to return to work that supported me, my family and my employees".
She told the Longford Leader, "I am quite happy with the sentence. I can breath again.
"I would have liked a personal apology from Chen even though he did apologise through his barrister, but I'm happy enough."
Ms Belton was very appreciative of Judge Kenneth Connolly and the way he listened to the many victims whose businesses were destroyed and grateful to the gardaí.
"The judge was very kind, he listened to carefully to everyone who was affected and he considered that during the sentencing.
"I was absolutely mesmerised by the amount of work done by the local gardaí."
She said the amount of CCTV they obtained was incredible and they put a huge amount of work into the investigation.
Ms Belton said she also had a Garda Liaison Officer who was very supportive.
"The work they did was unbelievable and the judge commended them on that."