Move to extradite ‘world’s largest child porn facilitator’

The State’s case to surrender an Irishman alleged to be the “largest facilitator of child porn in the world” to US authorities has opened in the High Court.

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.

The 30-year-old, with an address at Mountjoy Square, Dublin, has been in custody since August 2013, after he was refused bail.

In May of this year, he was diagnosed with Asberger’s syndrome by a psychiatrist and senior clinical psychologist, and concerns were raised that his health may be at risk in the US prison system.

Among the many documents read by counsel for the State Patrick McGrath to the court was an affidavit by a US official who stated that Mr Marques’ condition was “manageable” and the US prisons were “currently providing treatment to inmates with these conditions”.

Mr Marques is also seeking a judicial review of the DPP’s decision not to prosecute him in Ireland.

Mícheál P O’Higgins, counsel for Mr Marques, said his client had offered to plead guilty to the offences so he could be sent forward for sentencing in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

Mr O’Higgins said the alleged act of distribution occurred in this jurisdiction.

The case continues before Ms Justice Aileen Donnelly today.