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"Largest facilitator of child porn in the world" to seek Supreme Court appeal of decision not to prosecute him here
Summary
Eric Eoin Marques, an Irishman alleged to be the owner of Freedom Hosting, is to seek a Supreme Court appeal regarding the Director of Public Prosecution's decision not to prosecute him in Ireland. Marques, who resides at Mountjoy Square in Dublin, is wanted by US authorities on charges including conspiring to distribute and advertise child pornography. He has been in custody since August last year after being refused bail due to flight risk concerns. In December, the extradition court noted the DPP declined to bring proceedings, despite a letter indicating Marques would plead guilty if charged locally. Last month, Mr Justice John Edwards refused Marques leave to challenge this decision via judicial review. The High Court heard today that his legal team will appeal to the Supreme Court. An application to stay extradition proceedings is scheduled for October 23. Mr Justice Edwards remanded Marques in custody until that date. US authorities describe him as the "largest facilitator of child porn in the world," alleging he hosted sites containing violent images of pre-pubescent children. FBI Special Agent Brooke Donahue made this description to the court. It was alleged that gardai found evidence on his computer of direct knowledge and administrator access to these sites. Marques is also alleged to have used a fraudulent US passport image to access foreign hosting companies. The court heard that if convicted, the four charges could result in a sentence totalling 100 years, potentially meaning the remainder of his natural life in prison.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: "Largest facilitator of child porn in the world" to seek Supreme Court appeal of decision not to prosecute him here. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- October 23 Adjournment
- 2014-10-14 Publication
Case subjects
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 Marques in custody until that date.
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