Courts / Dublin / Report

Prisoner writes letter to Irish judge about treatment of mentally ill inmates in US

Date
2015-11-03
Stage
Charge Or Pretrial
Primary locality
Mountjoy
County
Dublin

Summary

The High Court heard an update in the extradition proceedings concerning Eric Eoin Marques, a 30-year-old Dublin resident with an address at Mountjoy Square. Marques is alleged to be the owner and administrator of an anonymous hosting site known as Freedom Hosting, and US authorities claim he is the largest facilitator of child pornography in the world. He faces charges relating to conspiring to distribute and advertise child pornography, as well as advertising and distributing such material. The State seeks to surrender him to US authorities, while Marques is seeking a judicial review of the Director of Public Prosecutions' decision not to prosecute him in Ireland. During the hearing, Ms Justice Aileen Donnelly referenced a letter written to her by a US prisoner regarding the treatment of mentally ill inmates in American prisons. Although Marques' lawyers had previously raised concerns about the risk of sexual violence in US prisons, the judge stated that her judgment would not be influenced by the inmate's letter. However, she allowed legal representatives the opportunity to make submissions relating to the letter's contents. The matter was adjourned until December 16th, with the case to be mentioned again next week. Marques remains in custody, having been remanded after his arrest in August 2013, when bail was refused due to concerns he represented a flight risk and might interfere with evidence.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Prisoner writes letter to Irish judge about treatment of mentally ill inmates in US. Procedural stage: charge_or_pretrial

When:

Case subjects

Mountjoy Square

Defendant

Outcome: Judge Donnelly adjourned the case until December 16th but said that it will be mentioned again next week and that lawyers could make submissions relating the letter from the US prisoner.

Places mentioned

Court Venue
  • High Court
Residence
Secondary Mention

Topics

Stage Charge Or Pretrial Violent Crime

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