A MAN described as the world's "biggest facilitator of child pornography," has had his challenge against extradition to the US dismissed at the Supreme Court in Dublin.
Eric Eoin Marques, of Mountjoy Square in Dublin is wanted by US authorities on charges including conspiring to distribute and advertise child pornography and advertising and distributing child pornography.
These relate to images on over 100 "anonymous websites" described as being extremely violent and graphic.
The FBI believes he is the owner and administrator of an anonymous hosting site known as Freedom Hosting and the world's largest facilitator of the distribution of child abuse images.
He was arrested by gardaí in 2013 on foot of a formal request from the US.
Mr Marques has brought a number of separate but related actions against his proposed extradition including a challenge against the Director of Public Prosecution's decision not to prosecute him in the Republic for offences he is wanted for by the US authorities.
In dismissing his appeal the judge said the DPP was allowed to decide not to prosecute Mr Marques in this jurisdiction for the offences and the Minister for Justice was not under any obligation to seek reasons from the DPP for that decision.
He has also previously lost in the High Court and the Court of Appeal. Yesterday the Supreme Court upheld those judgments.
The court did not impose any stay on the ruling which means Mr Marques can be extradited to the US to face charges immediately.
