Laurence Hoyne was yet another Irish landowner targeted by a disaffected tenant. He was shot dead by two men on April 7th, 1843, while enjoying the spring sunshine in his garden at Rathcubbin, County Kilkenny
An informer led the police to James Downey, 40, and Michael Mullins, 26. Downey was Mr. Hoynes tenant, in dispute with him over rent. Mullins, who fired the fatal shot, had neither met nor even knew his victim.
Both were hanged on Tuesday, September 5th, 1843, outside Kilkenny Prison. There was very little sympathy for either of them because immediately after the murder they ransacked and robbed Mr. Hoynes house.