Seán na Sagart (John of the Priests inIrish) (c. 1690 – 1726) was apriest hunter duringPenal Times inIreland.
BornJohn O'Mullowny[1] inDerrew, nearBallyheane,County Mayo, he began his career as a horse thief but was arrested and sentenced to death inCastlebar in his youth. When thegrand jury became aware of his low character, they cut a deal with him in which he agreed to turn priest hunter to escape the hangman's noose. The 1709 Penal Act demanded thatCatholic priests take the Oath ofAbjuration and recognise the ProtestantQueen Anne as Supreme Head of the Church of England and Ireland. Any cleric that refused was sentenced to death by theAnglican-controlled judicial system.
O'Mullowney was a talented rogue and excelled at the activity of hunting clergy. He received £100 for the capture of an archbishop or bishop, £20 for a priest, and £10 for obtaining ahedge school teacher, and £5 for a priest in training;[2] sizable amounts at the time. These men would then be executed if they refused to take the Act of Abjuration. O'Mullowney used the money to fund his heavy drinking and expensive tastes. One technique used by him was to pretend to be sick and close to death. He would then call for a priest to confess his numerous sins. When a priest would arrive, O'Mullowny would grab a knife hidden under the bedclothes, and attempt to capture or kill hisconfessor.
O'Mullowny was a deeply unpopular individual, and hated by all. He murdered with steady success until he had killed all but two of the area priests. The last two knew well who he was and lived in disguise. But O'Mullowny discovered one of the last two and killed him. He expected that the last remaining priest would attend that funeral, which he did, dressed as a woman. The priest's disguise did not fool O'Mullowny, who attacked him at the funeral. Unlike other priests who had been ambushed by someone who they thought was dying, this priest was expecting an attack and fought back. He was able to hold off Mullowney long enough for a homeless man known as McCann to stab Mullowney and kill him.[2] He is said to be buried in the graveyard atBallintubber Abbey.[3]
