Courts / Wicklow / Report

Alleged Silk Road administrator brings Supreme Court appeal against US extradition

Date
2017-07-25

Stage
Appeal

Primary locality
Wicklow

County
Wicklow

Summary

The Supreme Court has reserved its decision in an appeal by Gary Davis, a 29-year-old man from Co. Wicklow, against an order for his extradition to the United States. US authorities allege Davis was an administrator of the Silk Road website under the pseudonym 'Libertas' between June and October 2013. He is wanted to face trial on charges including conspiracy to distribute narcotics, conspiracy to commit computer hacking, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. The High Court ordered his extradition last year, and the Court of Appeal dismissed his appeal in March. The Supreme Court agreed to hear the case on grounds of public importance. Davis, represented by Cormac Ó Dúlacháin SC and John Peart SC, argues that extradition would breach his constitutional and European Convention on Human Rights rights to bodily integrity and life. He claims he suffers from Asperger's Syndrome and that detention in the US would be inhumane, potentially leading to suicidal ideation and severe mental health deterioration due to limited family access. The Attorney General, represented by Remy Farrell SC, argued there is nothing to prevent extradition. The five-judge panel, comprising Justices O'Donnell, McKechnie, MacMenamin, Dunne, and O'Malley, heard submissions on Tuesday and reserved its judgment. Davis remains on bail pending the Supreme Court's decision.