I stabbed next-door neighbour to death to protect myself, says man

A MAN charged with murder accepted he was responsible for stabbing his next-door neighbour to death, but was protecting himself at the time, the Central Criminal Court sitting in Limerick heard.

Richard Higgins, aged 42, of 1 New Houses, Lattin, Co Tipperary, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Sean Murphy, 29, of 2 New Houses, Lattin, on January 17, 2010.

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