Courts / Dublin / Report

"Largest facilitator of child porn in the world" refused review of decision not to prosecute him here

Date
2014-09-10
Stage
Sentence
Primary locality
Mountjoy
County
Dublin

Summary

At the High Court in Dublin, Mr Justice John Edwards refused Eric Eoin Marques leave to seek judicial review of the Director of Public Prosecutions' decision not to prosecute him in Ireland. The 28-year-old, residing at Mountjoy Square, is alleged to be the owner and administrator of Freedom Hosting, an anonymous site described by FBI Special Agent Brooke Donahue as the largest facilitator of child pornography in the world. US authorities seek his extradition to face charges including conspiring to distribute and advertise child pornography. The court heard that if convicted, Mr Marques faces a potential sentence totalling 100 years, potentially resulting in life imprisonment. Although a detailed letter indicated he would plead guilty if prosecuted locally, the judge denied his application to challenge the DPP's non-prosecution decision and her refusal to provide reasons. The matter was adjourned until October 14 to allow counsel time to consider the judgment and to fix a date for the extradition hearing. Mr Marques, who has been in custody since his August arrest due to flight risk concerns, was remanded in custody until that date. He appeared in court wearing a grey and green hoody, blue jeans, and navy runners.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: "Largest facilitator of child porn in the world" refused review of decision not to prosecute him here. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

Case subjects

Mountjoy Square

Defendant

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.; Mr Justice Edwards remanded Mr Marques, who appeared before the court wearing a grey and green hoody, blue jeans and navy runners, in custody until that date.

Places mentioned

Residence
Secondary Mention
Court Venue
  • High Court
  • The High Court

Topics

Stage Sentence

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