A neighbourly dispute that had been simmering for 10 years finally boiled over when a serious fight allegedly broke out between three men, one of whom was yesterday charged with attempted murder.

George Saliba, 23, and Saviour Camilleri, 42, who are both mechanics, had a feud with their Żebbuġ neighbour George Farrugia, 57, over permits for their garage, police sources said.

The garage is adjacent to Mr Farrugia's house in Paul Debono Street and there were also complaints about excessive noise coming from the garage.

The permits issue is being fought out in court but things allegedly got out of hand on July 1 at 7 p.m.

The police accuse the two men of assaulting Mr Farrugia with a metal pipe and Mr Farrugia of attacking Mr Saliba with a kitchen knife.

Mr Farrugia yesterday appeared in court with a nasty gash on his head and hands to deny the charge of trying to kill Mr Saliba.

The two other men denied charges of seriously injuring their neighbour.

Lawyer Gavin Gulia, appearing for Mr Camilleri, said a court case over permits for the garage has been going on for 10 years. Police Inspector Daniel Zammit said he was against bail being granted as the men were neighbours and tempers might just flare up again, adding that the outcome could have been far worse.

Magistrate Edwina Grima remanded the men in custody and asked the prisons director to transfer Mr Farrugia to the forensic unit of Mount Carmel to receive medical but not psychiatric treatment.

Police Inspectors Daniel Zammit, Joseph Mercieca and Malcolm Bondin prosecuted.

Lawyers Charmaine Cherett and Franco Debono appeared for Mr Saliba while lawyers Joseph Giglio and Stephen Tonna Lowell for Mr Farrugia.