Man appears in court charged with murder of Sonia Blount

Tallaght District Court hears Eric Locke replied ‘no’ when charge put to him by gardaí

Eric Locke of St John’s Park East in Clondalkin (covered) pictured arriving at Tallaght District Court this morning where he was charged with the murder of Sonia Blount from Tallaght. Photograph:  Collins.
Eric Locke of St John’s Park East in Clondalkin (covered) pictured arriving at Tallaght District Court this morning where he was charged with the murder of Sonia Blount from Tallaght. Photograph: Collins.

A 31-year-old Dublin man has appeared in court  charged with the murder of Sonia Blount in a Tallaght Hotel on Sunday.

Eric Locke, St John's Park East, Clondalkin, is charged with murdering Ms Blount (31) at Room 346 of The Plaza Hotel in Tallaght on February 16th, 2014.

Dressed in black plimsolls, dark blue jeans and a blue hooded sweatshirt, Locke appeared in custody before Judge Anthony Halpin.

Sonia Blount, in an undated picture taken from her Facebook page An undated picture of Sonia Blount (30) taken from her Facebook page.  An undated picture of Sonia Blount (30) taken from her Facebook page. Sonia Blount (31) - 16 February 2014. For Lost Women article by Jennifer O’Connell and Brian Hutton, Weekend Review summer 2022.
Sonia Blount, in an undated picture taken from her Facebook page An undated picture of Sonia Blount (30) taken from her Facebook page. An undated picture of Sonia Blount (30) taken from her Facebook page. Sonia Blount (31) - 16 February 2014. For Lost Women article by Jennifer O’Connell and Brian Hutton, Weekend Review summer 2022.

Garda Jennifer Brogan told Judge Halpin that she arrested Locke for the charge of murder at 1.05am this morning in Tallaght Garda station. She said Locke was cautioned and was later charged at 1.10am by Sgt Damien Deegan. She said Locke replied "no" to the charge.

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Locke's solicitor, Mark Quinn, applied for and was granted legal aid.

Judge Halpin told Locke: "Mr Locke, the legislature recognises murder as a most serious offence. The law states that all bail applications in such cases should be made before the High Court. "

Mr Quinn asked the judge to make an order granting his client access to medication. Judge Halpin asked if Mr Locke required medical attention. Mr Quinn said he might.

Garda Brogan applied for a remand in custody. Judge Halpin made an order that Locke is to receive medication and medical attention if required.

He remanded Locke in custody to appear before Cloverhill District Court on February 25th.