Murder accused denies ‘finishing off’ neighbour found in wardrobe

A man accused of murdering a neighbour whose body was found in a wardrobe days after his death denied he “finished off” the deceased, a court has heard.

Anthony Locke (38) told gardai in interview that he did not stab Christopher Jackson or have any weapon.

When asked if he had “finished off” the deceased man, he replied that he had not.

Garda Kevin Moran said Mr Locke told him that his fingerprints would probably be on the knife as his brother, Bernard, could have put it in his hand as he slept.

Mr Locke, of Ramillies Road in Ballyfermot, has pleaded not guilty at the Central Criminal Court to the murder of Christopher Jackson at his apartment on Prussia Street, Dublin between September 6th and 7th, 2012.

Garda Moran told Mr Conor Devally SC, prosecuting, that the accused said his brother would have killed him too if he had tried to stop him stabbing Mr Jackson.

The trial continues before Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy and a jury of six men and six women.