Lawyers for an Irish man wanted in the US, who was described by an FBI special agent as “the largest facilitator of child porn in the world”, are mounting a challenge in the High Court to have him tried in Ireland.
Eric Eoin Marques (28), who is wanted in the United States on charges relating to conspiring to distribute and advertise child pornography and advertising and distributing child pornography, is fighting his extradition and wants to have his case dealt with here.
The charges against Mr Marques, with an address at Mountjoy Square, Dublin, relate to images on more than 100 “anonymous websites” described as being extremely violent, graphic and depicting the rape and torture of pre-pubescent children.
The websites have “thousands of members” who have posted “millions of images” of child pornography. Some of the children involved are infants, the FBI claims.
The court previously heard that if convicted Mr Marques could face spending the remainder of his life in prison as the four charges could result in a sentence totalling 100 years.
Remy Farrell SC, for Mr Marques, said yesterday he wanted to make a submission to the DPP under section 15 of the Extradition Act about whether the case is to be dealt with in this country.
The case is to be mentioned again before Mr Justice John Edwards in three week's time.