In 1674 he was named, along with others, in a Government proclamation declaring him an outlaw and offering a reward of £10, a sizable sum then, for his capture. Two years later he is named alone and the reward is repeated, but this time for his capture, “dead or alive”.

Three years later and his reputation has grown and at last local landlords determine on joint action against him and his fellow brigands. Throughout the counties in which he operated, Armagh, Down, Cavan and Monaghan, they combine to hire mercenaries to seek him out. Redmond is now worth a reward of £30 and each member of his gang, £20. It was not unknown for an unwary traveller to be waylaid and executed, his head cut off and presented to the authorities in town as the head of a hunted Tory! The mercenaries are paid 9d a day for three months but have no real success. It is not surprising.

Redmond is admired and secretly supported by the poor people of his district, for he has made many magnanimous gestures towards the poor. His enemies however claim that he exacts more in protection money from the people of his district than does the King’s Exchequer.

Tales are swapped of how clever and devious he has become in eluding his enemy. It is said that often he had his horse’s shoes exchanged, to foil his pursuers. He even had them fitted back to front to appear like he was going when he was coming! His men sometimes wore reversible jackets to take on the appearance of redcoat soldiers, as they felt the need.

We have told some other anecdotes about Redmond before (see Articles listed below!). One other related how Redmond robbed a wealthy landlord from Mullaghbane by getting his army escort drunk. He then persuaded them to discharge their guns in celebratory volleys in the air until their rounds were all used up. Then his gang appeared and relieved them of their uniforms and their weapons, as well as of the money they were carrying.

Things came to a head in the year 1679. A Redmond gang – without their leader – attacked Tandragee Castle and killed Henry St John, who was then landlord and the most committed Tory-hunter of his time. His son had earlier died of a fever he had contracted whilst pursuing the same gang. His reputation was spoken of openly in the London press.

The Government decided to attack by attacking the families of known Tories. A proclamation was issued authorising their capture and imprisonment until the rebels were taken or killed.

The reward on the head of Redmond O’Hanlon rose to £100 and £50 for that of his brother and fellow Tory, Loughlin. The hunt intensifies. In June 1680 in an ambush seven outlaws are killed but again Redmond escapes.

Early the following year Lucas of Dromantine was put in charge of the hunt. He enlisted the aid of an informer and kinsman (some say foster-brother) of Redmond, one Art O’Hanlon.

Within a short while Art infiltrated the gang and devised a plan to execute Redmond and claim his £200 bounty money. At Eight Mile Bridge near Hilltown, County Down in April 1681 the foul murder is committed. The killer is said to have discharged a full musket into the sleeping body of his former friend.

His friends later cut off his head and hid it to prevent the authorities from displaying it publicly on a spike in a prominent place. His body is interred in Ballynabeck graveyard.

Unfortunately the head was found and later displayed as a warning to others, at Downpatrick Courthouse.

And so ended the legend of the famous Redmond O’Hanlon!