A man has appeared in court charged with the murder of Sonia Blount at a hotel in Dublin two days ago.

Eric Locke of St John's Park East, Clondalkin is accused of killing the 31 year old at a room at the Plaza hotel in Tallaght.

The Garda van carrying Eric Locke to court was heckled by a group of men as it pulled up outside Tallaght District Court this morning.

At around 3.30 on Sunday afternoon, Sonia's  body was found by cleaning staff on the floor of room number 346 at the Plaza hotel in Tallaght.

Gardai initially treated her death as "suspicious" but the investigation was upgraded to a murder inquiry following a post mortem yesterday.

Mr. Locke was the first to be called before Judge Anthony Halpin this morning and he was flanked by two officers throughout his brief court appearance.

Judge Halpin told the 31-year-old he was facing a most serious offence and would have to go to the High Court if he wished to apply for bail.

He then remanded the accused in custody to appear before Cloverhill District Court this day week