John O'Sullivan (47), a native of Valentia, Co. Kerry who emigrated to the US almost 20 years ago, was shot dead near his home in the Fiddletown area of northern California last Sunday evening. The dead man's  neighbour, with whom he had had a long-standing dispute, has been charged with murder and has been remanded in custody.

Last Sunday evening police in Amador County received a call from Kenneth Zimmerman (56) who claimed that his neighbour had driven a tractor through a locked gate and onto his property. He also alleged that he had been slapped in the face and said that if the police did not show up soon he was liable to shoot the intruder. A short time later Mr O'Sullivan's wife also phoned the police to say that she had heard shots and could not find her husband.

When the police arrived at the remote rural location they were met by Zimmerman who had blocked the road. He told them where they would find Mr O'Sullivan and the body was found slumped on his tractor which had been driven into brush. He appeared to have died from multiple gunshot wounds.

Neighbours said the dispute between the two men was over a right-of-way but Mr O'Sullivan's wife Clem said this wasn't the case. She later confirmed that her husband's remains will be brought back to Valentia Island for burial.

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