‘Real risk’ of higher sentence in US over child porn

Lawyers for an Irishman alleged to be the “largest facilitator of child porn in the world” have told the High Court there is a “real risk” the prosecution will seek to impose a higher sentence if he is convicted in the US.

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 in central Dublin, has been in custody since his arrest in August 2013, after he was refused bail over concerns he represented a flight risk and that he may abscond or interfere with evidence.