Courts / Dublin / Report

Ex-boyfriend used false identity to strangle young mother in hotel room, jury told

Date
2017-05-08

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Tallaght

County
Dublin

Summary

In a 2017 murder trial, a 35‑year‑old Dublin man, Eric Locke, was accused of strangling 31‑year‑old Sonia Blount in a Plaza Hotel room in Tallaght on 16 February 2014. Locke had assumed a false identity, presenting himself as Shane Cully, to meet Blount after their brief relationship ended. He brought cable ties, masking tape and a realistic‑looking airgun to the room, items he claimed were intended to overpower her. Blount was found lying on the floor with a garment in her mouth, having died of asphyxiation and strangulation. Locke pleaded not guilty but his defence admitted he caused her death. The prosecution argued he strangled her after panicking when she saw the items, while the defence sought to establish diminished responsibility. The jury was instructed to consider Locke's mental state and the evidence of their communications. The trial was scheduled to last about two weeks.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Ex-boyfriend used false identity to strangle young mother in hotel room, jury told. Procedural stage: trial

When:

February 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
2017-05-08 Publication

Why: A murder trial jury has been told that a Dublin man assumed a false identity in order to meet his ex girlfriend in a hotel room, where he strangled her. CNI source report