Courts / Dublin / Report
"Largest facilitator of child porn in the world" to be extradited to the US
Summary
An Irishman, Eric Eoin Marques, 30, was ordered by the High Court to be extradited to the United States after the State sought to surrender him for charges of conspiring to distribute and advertise child pornography. Marques, who lives in Dublin, is alleged to own and administer the anonymous hosting site Freedom Hosting, which hosts over a hundred sites with violent child‑pornographic images. The extradition was delayed for at least 15 days to allow Marques to appeal the decision not to prosecute him in Ireland. Justice Aileen Donnelly rejected a judicial review application that argued Marques should be tried in Ireland, stating the Director of Public Prosecutions has no duty to give reasons for its decisions. Marques has both Irish and U.S. citizenship and is diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome, a fact raised by his counsel as a potential risk if extradited. The U.S. authorities claim they can provide appropriate care for him if he is extradited.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: "Largest facilitator of child porn in the world" to be extradited to the US. Charges or matters: conspiring to distribute and advertise child pornography and advertising and distributing child pornography. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- 2015-12-16 Publication
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: conspiring to distribute and advertise child pornography and advertising and distributing child pornography (Alleged Or Contested)
Outcome: The court heard that if convicted Mr Marques faces spending the remainder of his natural life in prison as the four charges could result in a sentence totalling 100 years.
Places mentioned
- Mountjoy
- Mountjoy Square
- High Court
- Court of Appeal
- The High Court
- Dublin's Mater Hospital
Topics
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