In fulfilment of the prophecy of Columcille and other holy men that Mochuda should be expelled from Rahen the king of Tara, Blathmac, the son of Aodh Slaine, and his brother Diarmuid came, together with some clergy of the Cluain Earaird [Clonard] community, to carry out the eviction [in A.D. 635].  They said to him, “Leave this monastery and region and seek a place for yourself elsewhere.”  Mochuda replied—­“In this place I have desired to end my days.  Here I have been many years serving God and have almost reached the end of my life.  Therefore I shall not depart unless I am dragged hence by the hands against my will, for it is not becoming an old man to abandon easily the place in which he has spent great part of his life.”  Then the nobles returned to Blathmac and they made various complaints of Mochuda, accusing him falsely of many things; finally they asked the king to undertake the expulsion personally, for they were themselves unequal to the task.  The king thereupon came to the place accompanied by a large retinue.  Alluding prophetically to the king’s coming, previous to that event, Mochuda said, addressing the monks:—­“Beloved brothers, get ready and gather your belongings, for violence and eviction are close at hand:  the chieftains of this land are about to expel and banish you from your own home.”  Then the king, with his brothers and many of the chief men, arrived on the scene.  They encamped near Rahen and the king sent his brother Diarmuid with some others to expel Mochuda and to put him out by force—­which Diarmuid pledged his word he should do.  It was in the choir at prayer that Diarmuid found Mochuda.  Mochuda, though he knew his mission, asked Diarmuid why he was come and what he sought.  Diarmuid replied that he came by order of King Blathmac to take him by the hand and put him out of that establishment and to banish him from Meath.  “Do as you please,” said Mochuda, “for we are prepared to undergo all things for Christ’s sake.”  “By my word,” answered Diarmuid, “I shall never be guilty of such a crime; let him who chooses do it.”  Mochuda said:—­“You shall possess the kingdom of God and you shall reign in your brother’s stead and your face which you have turned from me shall never be turned from your enemies.  Moreover the reproaches which the king will presently cast upon you for not doing the work he has set you, will be your praise and your pride.  At the same time as a penalty for your evil designs toward me and your greater readiness to drive me out, your son shall not succeed you in the sovereignty.”  Diarmuid returned to the king and told him that he could do no injury to Mochuda.  The king retorted [sarcastically and] in anger, “What a valiant man you are, Diarmuid.”  Diarmuid replied:—­“That is just what Mochuda promised —­that I should be a warrior of God.”  He was known as Diarmuid Ruanaidh thenceforth, for the whole assembly cried out with one voice—­truly he is Valiant (Ruanaidh).