Trial of Clondalkin man accused of murdering Tallaght mother enters day four

The trial of a Clondalkin man charged with the murder of a Tallaght mother-of-one in the Plaza Hotel in 2014 enters its fourth day today at the Central Criminal Court.

Eric Locke (35) of St John’s Park East in Clondalkin admitted he caused the death of Sonia Blount (31) in the hotel room on February 16, 2014 but has denied he murdered her.

Yesterday the trial was told about the content of text messages sent between Mr Locke and Ms Blount on the date their relationship had ended.

The trial heard the then couple had gone to a concert on the night of January 11, 2014, and there was an argument.

Text messages sent at around 3:30am the following morning centred on Mr Locke feeling bad for what he had said to Ms Blount.

A large amount of texts were read to the jury, in which Mr Locke begged Ms Blount to forgive him for his behaviour, saying he was hammered and was insecure.

In response, Ms Blount asked him to stop, but similar messages continued the next day.

On January 13, 2014 Ms Blount received further texts from Mr Locke in which he said he was walking out of his job where they both worked.

Ms Blount asked him to contact his family as they had been looking for him. Later that day another text from Mr Locke said he was in a hotel room with a rope, while another a few hours later said he was receiving help in Tallaght Hospital.

Mr Locke went on to ask Ms Blount if she would still be with him when he got help, but Ms Blount replied: Just stop now Eric, I’m done.”

The jury also heard a man matching Mr Locke’s description had been seen with scrape marks on his face.

Ian McEvoy, a taxi driver, said he collected Mr Locke in the early hours of the morning and was directed to take him to Clondalkin village before being asked to drive him to St John’s Grove in Clondalkin.

When asked if he had had a good night by the taxi driver, Mr Locke said he had been involved in row in a nightclub, in which he received “a few slaps”.

Mr McEvoy said marks on Mr Locke’s face were noticeable. Mr McEvoy said he rang Gardai when he saw a picture of the defendant in the paper.

Evidence was also given by Forensic Scientist, Marce Lee Gorman who conducted DNA profiling in the case.

A blood stain on Mr Locke’s jeans tested positive for Ms Blount’s DNA, while DNA found under Ms Blount’s fingernails matched that of Mr Locke.

The trial continues today at the Central Criminal Court.