Courts / Dublin / Report

Jury deliberating in Eric Locke murder trial

Summary

The jury has begun deliberating in the Central Criminal Court trial of 35‑year‑old Eric Locke, who is charged with murdering his ex‑girlfriend, Sonia Blount, in a room at the Plaza Hotel in Tallaght on 16 February 2014. Locke, who lives in St John's Park East, Clondalkin, pleaded not guilty but admitted causing Blount's death. He strangled her with his hands and the cable of her phone charger, and pushed her t‑shirt into the back of her mouth. Locke claims he was suffering from a mental disorder at the time, a defence that could reduce the charge from murder to manslaughter if successful. Judge Michael Moriarty explained that a successful diminished‑responsibility defence would not give a full acquittal but would lower the offence. The judge also noted that Locke had dressed Blount after killing her, a fact that may be relevant to the jury.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Jury deliberating in Eric Locke murder trial. Charges or matters: murdering the mother-of-one in a room at the Plaza Hotel in Tallaght on the 16th of February 2014. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• February 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2017-05-22 Publication

Why: Mr Justice Moriarty explained that, if successful, that defence did not supply a complete acquittal. Defence account reported by CNI

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report