Man accused of murdering neighbour said victim assaulted him

A MAN accused of murdering his next-door neighbour told a detective shortly after the alleged crime he had previously been assaulted by the deceased, a court heard yesterday.

Richard Higgins, aged 42, of 1, New Houses, Lattin, Co Tipperary, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of his next-door neighbour, Seán Murphy, aged 29, of 2, New Houses, last year.

He also denies threatening to kill or cause serious harm to Seán Murphy and his partner, Paula Hassett, on dates in October and December 2009.