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"I took out the things and put them on the bed and she was terrified": trial hears of Eric Locke's garda interviews

Summary

In a trial at the Central Criminal Court, 35‑year‑old Eric Locke is charged with murdering 31‑year‑old Sonia Blount, who was found strangled and suffocated in a room at the Plaza Hotel in Tallaght on 16 February 2014. Locke, who lives in Clondalkin, pleaded not guilty but admitted causing Blount's death. He told Gardaí that he had set up a fake Facebook account to meet her, purchased a pellet gun, a Stanley knife and cable ties, and used a keycard left at reception to enter the room. Locke claimed he only intended to frighten her, not kill her, and that he had used his hands and briefly a phone charger cable during the strangulation. He denied rape, said he had attempted suicide before surrendering, and expressed remorse for the impact on Blount's three‑year‑old son. The case is before Mr Justice Michael Moriarty and a jury of twelve.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: "I took out the things and put them on the bed and she was terrified": trial hears of Eric Locke's garda interviews. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• February 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
• February 9th Other
• January 24th Hearing Or Sentence
• 2017-05-12 Publication

Why: He said he had put her top in her mouth because he panicked. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial

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Read the original CNI report