Case No. 0884Assault causing harm · Co. Limerick · 9 Nov 2023
Chawke siblings to be sentenced for assault at Adare hotel
Bill Chawke, 31, and Alison Chawke, 41, assaulted two men at the Dunraven Arms Hotel in Adare, Co Limerick, on 9 November 2023. Alison bit John McHugh on the face and kicked his head, and threw a pint glass at the pair after a dispute over bar food and a perceived stare. Alison was arrested at the scene and Bill was questioned by appointment; both pleaded guilty to assault causing harm. Sentencing is set for 14 July 2026 at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Convicted4 Jun
- Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Alison Chawke bit John McHugh on the left side of his face, kicked his head a number of times, and threw a pint glass at the two men.
- The incident began when Bill Chawke demanded bar food after midnight and Gerard Cox asked him to stop annoying the bar staff, leading to a verbal altercation.
- The defendants told gardaí they had consumed 14 drinks between them and incorrectly perceived that the victims were staring and smirking at them.
- Where
- The assault took place at the Dunraven Arms Hotel in Adare, Co Limerick.
- When
- The incident occurred on 9 November 2023.
- Investigation
- Alison Chawke was arrested at the scene for refusing to give her name, and Bill Chawke met gardaí by appointment to be questioned.
- Charges
- Both defendants pleaded guilty to assault causing harm, with Alison pleading guilty on a full facts basis to assaulting McHugh.
- In court
- Sentencing is set for 14 July 2026 at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court.
13 statements extracted from the articles
- whatAlison Chawke bit John McHugh on the left side of his face and kicked his head a number of times. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe two defendants told gardaí they had consumed 14 drinks between them on the night. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe Chawkes incorrectly perceived that Cox and McHugh were staring and smirking at them at the hotel bar. (irishtimes.com)
- whatBill Chawke demanded bar food despite staff explaining it was no longer available after midnight. (irishtimes.com)
- whatCox politely asked Bill Chawke to stop annoying the bar staff, leading to a verbal altercation. (irishtimes.com)
- whatAlison Chawke walked behind the bar, picked up a pint glass, and threw it in the direction of the two victims. (irishtimes.com)
- whatAlison told gardaí she did not want to give her name as she did not want her father, Charlie Chawke, to find out. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe assault took place at the Dunraven Arms Hotel in Adare, Co Limerick. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe incident occurred on 9 November 2023. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationBill Chawke met gardaí by appointment and was questioned about the attack. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationAlison Chawke was arrested at the scene for refusing to give her name. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeAlison Chawke pleaded guilty on a full facts basis to assaulting McHugh, causing him harm. (irishtimes.com)
- courtSentencing is set for 14 July 2026 at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 4 Jun2026Sentencing of Charlie Chawke’s son and daughter for assault set for mid-July
Provides detailed account of the assault including the role of intoxication (14 drinks), CCTV and phone footage, the defendants' addresses, the trigger (a dispute over bar food), and confirms the sentencing date of 14 July 2026 at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court.
victim, John McHugh, 50s, male, irish (judged from name)John McHughvictim, Gerard Cox, male, irish (judged from name)Gerard Coxconvicted, Bill Chawke, 31, male, named, irish (judged from name)Bill Chawkeconvicted, Alison Chawke, 41, female, named, irish (judged from name)Alison Chawke