Sonia Blount’s family issue warning about the dangers of social media

The family of murdered mother of one, Sonia Blount from Tallaght issued a warning to those who use social media today after her attacker was handed a life sentence at the Central Criminal Court.

Eric Locke of St John’s Park East in Clondalkin had admitted he caused the death of Ms Blount in the Plaza Hotel on February 16, 2014 but had denied he murdered her.

He was found guilty by a unanimous verdict on Monday, and today was handed down a life sentence.

During the trial it emerged that Ms Blount had been in conversation with a man she thought to be Shane Cully on Facebook.

However, the man turned out to be Eric Locke, and today a family friend speaking on behalf of the them said others need to be aware of the dangers of social media.

Speaking outside the court today family friend Liz Gaffney said: “A special word of warning to everybody using social media sites, we urge you please be cautious and always be aware, it is so easy to set up false profiles.

“Sonia made an error of judgement and paid for this with her life.

“Sonia was an innocent, beautiful, kind, caring person and mother who is sadly missed by all who knew her and loved her.”

The family aslo thanked the jury, saying: “We would also like to thank the jury for the unanimous and timely decision, and for seeing her murderer as the lying and manipulative person that he is – for this our family is so grateful.”