Case No. 0601Assault causing harm · Co. Limerick · 9 Nov 2023
Chawke siblings jailed for vicious pub attack on two men in Adare, Co Limerick
On 9 November 2023, Bill Chawke, 31, and his sister Alison Chawke, 41, both Irish, attacked two men in their 50s, John McHugh and Gerard Cox, at the Dunraven Arms Hotel in Adare, Co Limerick, after consuming at least 14 alcoholic drinks. The siblings punched, kicked, gouged the eyes of, and bit one of the victims, with the assault moving from the bar to the hotel lobby. Both pleaded guilty to assault causing harm after the District Court refused jurisdiction. On 14 July 2026, Limerick Circuit Criminal Court sentenced Bill Chawke to two years and six months with the final 12 months suspended, and Alison Chawke to two years and two months with the final 14 months suspended.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced14 Jul
2 reports
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Bill and Alison Chawke attacked two men, punching, kicking, gouging their eyes, biting a cheek, and throwing a pint glass.
- Where
- The assault took place at the Dunraven Arms Hotel in Adare, Co Limerick, beginning in the bar and moving to the lobby.
- When
- The assault occurred on 9 November 2023, after the pair arrived just after midnight.
- Cause
- The siblings were intoxicated, having consumed at least 14 alcoholic drinks, and incorrectly perceived that the victims were staring and smirking at them.
- Charges
- Both pleaded guilty to assault causing harm.
- In court
- The DPP initially indicated District Court level but that court refused jurisdiction; sentencing took place at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court.
- Sentence
- Bill Chawke was sentenced to two years and six months with the final 12 months suspended.
- Alison Chawke was sentenced to two years and two months with the final 14 months suspended.
- Other details
- Bill Chawke was identified by the judge as the main aggressor.
- Alison Chawke was initially arrested but released without charge that night.
- Payments of €5,000 were made to each victim as expressions of remorse, and civil proceedings had been resolved.
- Both defendants had no previous convictions.
31 statements extracted from the articles
- whatBill and Alison Chawke launched a vicious attack on two men, punching, kicking and gouging their eyes. (irishtimes.com)
- whatAlison Chawke kicked the man in the head while her brother wrestled him to the ground. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe two siblings consumed at least 15 alcoholic drinks including vodkas, gins and Guinness. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe assault took place at the Dunraven Arms Hotel in Adare, Co Limerick. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe assault occurred on 9 November 2023. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe attack occurred on 9 November 2023, after the pair arrived just after midnight. (irishtimes.com)
- causeThe Chawke siblings were intoxicated, having consumed about 14 alcoholic drinks between them. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeBoth pleaded guilty to assault causing harm. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe DPP initially indicated the offences should be dealt with at District Court level but that court had refused jurisdiction. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceBill Chawke was sentenced to two years and six months with the final 12 months suspended. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceAlison Chawke was sentenced to two years and two months with the final 14 months suspended. (irishtimes.com)
- otherBill Chawke was identified by the judge as the main aggressor. (irishtimes.com)
- otherAlison Chawke initially tried to get her brother to calm down before becoming involved in the assault. (irishtimes.com)
- otherPayments of €5,000 were made to the two attacked men as expressions of remorse. (irishtimes.com)
- otherCivil proceedings taken by the victims against the siblings had been resolved. (irishtimes.com)
- otherAlison Chawke bit John McHugh on his cheek and kicked him in the head. (irishtimes.com)
- otherBill Chawke wrestled with McHugh on the floor of the hotel. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe assault began in the bar and moved to the hotel lobby. (irishtimes.com)
- otherBoth victims have been left with feelings of anxiety in social situations. (irishtimes.com)
- otherBill Chawke was a married man who played an important role in a business employing more than 450 people. (irishtimes.com)
- otherBoth defendants had no previous convictions. (irishtimes.com)
- otherAlison Chawke was a working mother with young children. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe Chawke siblings had incorrectly perceived that Cox and McHugh were staring and smirking at them at the hotel bar. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe footage showed the siblings throwing kicks and punches at the two men inside the bar and at the hotel lobby in the early hours of the morning. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe victims were John McHugh and Gerard Cox, both in their 50s. (irishtimes.com)
- otherCharlie Chawke suffered a gunshot wound to his right leg during an armed robbery of The Goat pub in Goatstown in 2003, and his leg was later amputated above the knee. (irishtimes.com)
- otherAlison Chawke was initially arrested but released without charge that night. (irishtimes.com)
- otherAlison Chawke told gardaí she refused to give her name because she was concerned her father would find out. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe sentencing took place at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court. (irishtimes.com)
- otherAlison Chawke threw an empty pint glass at the two men during the attack. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe brawl spread from the residents bar into the front foyer of the hotel. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 14 Jul2026Night out for Chawke brother and sister ended in vicious attack and, 32 months later, jail
Sentencing details: Bill Chawke received 2 years 6 months (12 months suspended) and Alison Chawke received 2 years 2 months (14 months suspended). Neither had prior convictions. The article provides extensive CCTV-based account of the attack and background on the Chawke family pub empire.
convicted, Bill Chawke, 31, male, named, irish (judged from name)Bill Chawkeconvicted, Alison Chawke, 41, female, named, irish (judged from name)Alison Chawkevictim, John McHugh, 50s, male, irish (judged from name)John McHughvictim, Gerard Cox, 50s, male, irish (judged from name)Gerard Cox - 14 Jul2026Son and daughter of publican Charlie Chawke jailed for assault in Adare hotel
Sentencing details for both defendants, including headline sentences, mitigating factors, and the judge's reasoning. Includes background on the Chawke pub business and the circumstances of the assault.
convicted, Bill Chawke, 31, male, named, irish (judged from name)Bill Chawkeconvicted, Alison Chawke, 41, female, named, irish (judged from name)Alison Chawkevictim, John McHugh, 50s, male, irish (judged from name)John McHughvictim, Gerard Cox, 50s, male, irish (judged from name)Gerard Cox