Eric Eoin Marques extradition sought over child abuse images
The US is to request the extradition of an Irishman described by the FBI as the largest facilitator of online child sex abuse on the planet, Dublin High Court has been told.
Eric Eoin Marques, 28, with an address at Mountjoy Square in Dublin, was arrested in the city last week.
He holds both Irish and US passports. He was remanded in custody for a week.
The four charges against him follow a year-long investigation involving the FBI and Irish police.
Dublin High Court heard Mr Marques was arrested in the Irish capital last Thursday, on a provisional warrant.
He was then refused bail the following day, amid fears he was a flight risk and would interfere with evidence.
The claim that he is the largest facilitator of online child sex abuse on the planet was made by an FBI special agent during the court hearing last week.
The child abuse images were described as being extremely violent and graphic.
At the hearing on Thursday, a lawyer acting for the Irish attorney general asked the judge to remand Mr Marques for another week, in anticipation of a formal request for extradition from the US.
The extradition would then have to be received and certified by Irish Justice Minister Alan Shatter.
The court heard the accused can be held for up to 18 days during that part of the extradition procedure.
The judge granted the remand request, and remanded Mr Marques in custody for another week, but told the lawyer that "time was running out".
The judge said: "If at that juncture a formal request for extradition is not received and not certified by the minister, Mr Marques will be released."
No objection was made by Marques's legal team.