Courts / Dublin / Report

Eric Locke was "well able to control himself", prosecution tell jury

Summary

In the Central Criminal Court, the prosecution argued that Eric Locke, 35, who strangled his ex‑girlfriend Sonia Blount in a Tallaght hotel room on 16 February 2014, was fully aware of the wrongness of his actions and could control himself, rejecting any claim of diminished responsibility. The defence presented three psychiatrists, including Dr Seán Ó Domhnaill, who diagnosed Locke with Pervasive Developmental Disorder, asserting a mental disorder underpinned the case. The prosecution dismissed Dr Ó Domhnaill's testimony as unreliable and questioned his competence, while the defence highlighted Locke's history of mental health issues, suicide attempts, and treatment at Pieta House. The jury was instructed to consider whether the alleged disorder substantially reduced Locke's responsibility for the murder. The judge would charge the jury on Monday. The unnamed 35-year-old pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Eric Locke was "well able to control himself", prosecution tell jury. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• February 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2017-05-19 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report