Courts / Dublin / Report
Irishman alleged to be "largest facilitator of child porn in the world" wouldn't give computer password to gardai, court hears
Summary
In a High Court hearing on 1 July 2015, state lawyers argued that Eric Eoin Marques, a 30‑year‑old Irish‑American alleged to run the 'Freedom Hosting' site, would not provide his computer password to Gardaí. Marques, arrested in August 2013 and held without bail, faces U.S. charges for conspiring to distribute and advertise child pornography on over 100 anonymous sites. He seeks a judicial review of the Director of Public Prosecutions' decision not to prosecute him in Ireland, claiming the case is exceptional because he has offered to plead guilty. Counsel for the State, Pat McGrath SC, rejected the claim of exceptional circumstances, noting no evidence of mala fides or procedural breach. He highlighted that the alleged offences were committed in Ireland, the IP addresses were U.S. based, and that Marques holds dual citizenship. The court heard that Marques has Asperger's syndrome and that U.S.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Irishman alleged to be "largest facilitator of child porn in the world" wouldn't give computer password to gardai, court hears. Procedural stage: charge_or_pretrial
When:
- August 2013 Incident
- 2015-07-01 Publication
Why: His lawyers say that the case is exceptional because Mr Marques is offering to plead guilty to the charges. CNI source report
Places mentioned
- High Court
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Mountjoy
- Mountjoy Square
- Mountjoy Square
- Dublin's Mater Hospital
- American prison
Topics
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