John Hannigan of New Quay has been giving evidence in his trial for the murder of his friend Anthony Fallon in the South Tipperary town on January 18th 2012.
The 46 year old also denies charges of assault.
Giving evidence John Hannigan told the Central Criminal Court that he and another man Joseph O Riordan had been drinking in his Clonmel apartment the night before Anothony Fallon's death.
At around midnight they went to buy more alcohol and then headed to the deceased's flat on Abbey Street.
He then told the court that a row erupted when Mr O'Riordan accused Mr Fallon of drinking his alcohol and just went berserk hitting him with a kettle, a chair and a TV.
Mr Hannigan insisted he was only refereeing the situation and only hit the deceased once to try and break up the row.
He also told the court that he didn't punch his friend in a car park after they went to buy more alcohol adding he lied to Gardai when he told them that he'd lost his temper and struck Anthony Fallon hard and fast like Bruce Lee.
