It's the very near future in a new Northern Ireland, and as a result of the accelerating peace process, the British Government has been forced to release one of the most vicious of IRA paramilitaries, 'Mad' Mike Houlihan. In a desperate measure to contain the damage, SAS operative Steve Lawson is sent to 'eliminate' the problem. But when his first attempt fails and he is recalled to save further embarrassment, he decides to stay on and complete his mission alone. As Steve goes underground, a stranger in a strange land, emerging for his dark lair at night to hunt down his enemy, he comes to be known among the locals as 'Night Rider'. At last, Night Rider and Mad Mike are destined to meet in a final, fatal confrontation.