An extradition request has been made by US authorities for a 28-year-old Irishman who is allegedly involved in the distribution of online child pornography.
According to the Independent the man was described by an FBI Special Agent in the Irish High Court yesterday as 'the largest facilitator of child porn on the planet.'
Eric Eoin Marques appeared before Justice Paul Gilligan in light of an extradition request by the FBI. After the hearing, Marques was put back in custody until next Thursday.
Marques, who has both Irish and US citizenship, was earlier arrested on a warrant that includes charges of distributing and promoting child pornography on the internet.
The Judge reportedly refused to grant Marques bail until the extradition request has been determined.
According to the Independent, US authorities are reportedly seeking his extradition on four charges. He is charged with distributing, conspiring to distribute, and advertising child pornography. It was further alleged that he aided and abetted a conspiracy to advertise child pornography and if convicted he faces sentences of up to 30 years in prison.
The charges relate to images on multiple websites that are described as being extremely violent and graphic and that depict the rape and torture of prepubescent children.
Both investigating Irish police and the FBI objected to bail being granted. Marques, who has travelled extensively, represents a flight risk and may try to interfere with evidence, the judge heard.
The court also heard that large sums of money had passed through Marques' bank accounts, including large payments sent to accounts in Romania.
The court also heard that Marques’s computer files revealed he had made inquiries about how to get a visa to enter Russia. The court heard he had no previous convictions and had never come to the attention of the authorities before. The FBI Special Agent referred to him as having been 'anonymous.'
Marques was born in the US but has lived in Ireland since he was five years of age. He said his father is Brazilian and his mother is Irish. He said he had visited Romania a few times, and had friends and an ex girlfriend there whom he said he was helping out financially.
He also told the court that several weeks ago he searched about a Russian visa online out of curiosity, having read about the former US NSA employee Edward Snowden.
Refusing bail Justice Gilligan said he accepted the evidence that Marques was a flight risk. The Judge also accepted the evidence he may, if released, attempt to interfere with evidence.
He also took into account the fact that large sums of money had passed through Marques' bank accounts.
Justice Gilligan then remanded Marques in custody, to the next sitting of the High Court on August 8.
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