Man may seek review of DPP’s refusal to prosecute
Eric Eoin Marques, who is alleged to be the owner and administrator of an anonymous hosting site known as Freedom Hosting, is wanted by US authorities to face charges relating to conspiring to distribute and advertise child pornography, and advertising and distributing child pornography.
Mr Marques, aged 28, of Mountjoy Square, Dublin, has been in custody since his arrest last August.
The charges against Mr Marques relate to images on over a hundred “anonymous websites” described as being extremely violent, graphic and depicting the rape and torture of pre-pubescent children.
Mícheál P O’Higgins, counsel for Mr Marques, yesterday told the court that he and a new legal team had just come on record and on that basis he would ask for more time.
He said his client was anxious to receive advice on the Damache case and the possibility of seeking judicial review on the same grounds. Mr O’Higgins asked for a three week adjournment in the case.
Ali Charaf Damache, aged 48, who is wanted in the US on terrorism charges, had sought judicial review to challenge the DPP’s decision not to prosecute him in Ireland for the alleged offences.
On Monday Mr Justice John Edwards in the High Court said that he was not disposed to grant Mr Damache leave for judicial review on any basis.
With regard to Mr Marques, Mr Justice Edwards said he was anxious to have “some move” on the case on the next occasion as the respondent was in custody. He remanded Mr Marques in custody until Feb 18.
In December, the extradition court heard the DPP had decided not to bring proceedings against Mr Marques with respect to the alleged offences.
The court heard a letter had been submitted to the DPP, in which it was indicated Mr Marques would enter a plea of guilty were the offences to be prosecuted in this jurisdiction.
