Ireland Limerick man jailed for biting off part of victim's thumb outside hotel
On 23 October 2022, at about 12:10am on a roadway at the Woodlands House Hotel in Adare, Limerick, Damien Conway, a 47-year-old man from Kilteragh, Dooradoyle, Limerick, bit off part of the left thumb of Dean Burke, a man, during a dispute. Conway pleaded guilty to assault, and Limerick Circuit Court set a headline sentence of four years and eight months, reduced to three years and six months with the final 12 months suspended on a €300 bond. Conway, who had no previous convictions, was jailed, and the sentence was reported on 22 July 2026.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced22 Jul
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Damien Conway pleaded guilty to assaulting Dean Burke by biting off part of his thumb during a dispute.
- Dean Burke was punched through the car window multiple times, and the accused grabbed the car window and ran alongside the car for 74 metres.
- Where
- The incident took place on a roadway at the Woodlands House Hotel in Adare, Limerick.
- When
- The assault took place at about 12:10am on 23 October 2022, on the night of an Oktoberfest celebration.
- Cause
- The dispute arose from an earlier disagreement over drinks allegedly taken from another table.
- Weapon
- No weapon is mentioned; the injury was caused by biting.
- Other details
- A doctor classed the injury as a traumatic partial amputation of the victim's left thumb.
- Investigation
- The accused went to gardaí after the incident and voluntarily gave them his clothing.
- In court
- Limerick Circuit Court heard the case, and the accused had no previous convictions.
- Compensation of €10,000 was offered to the injured party and accepted.
- Sentence
- The judge set a headline sentence of four years and eight months' imprisonment, citing the viciousness of the offence as an aggravating factor.
- The sentence was reduced to three years and six months' imprisonment, with the final 12 months suspended on a €300 bond.
- Damien Conway was jailed, as reported on 22 July 2026.
12 statements extracted from the articles
- whatA man pleaded guilty to biting off part of another man's thumb during a dispute on the grounds of a Limerick hotel. (limerickleader.ie)
- whatDean Burke was punched through the car window multiple times. (limerickleader.ie)
- whatThe accused grabbed the car window and ran alongside the car for 74 metres. (limerickleader.ie)
- whatA doctor classed the injury as a traumatic partial amputation of the victim's thumb. (limerickleader.ie)
- whereThe incident took place on a roadway at the Woodlands House Hotel in Adare. (limerickleader.ie)
- whenThe assault took place on 23 October 2022. (limerickleader.ie)
- causeThe dispute arose from an earlier disagreement over drinks allegedly taken from another table. (limerickleader.ie)
- investigationThe accused went to gardaí after the incident and voluntarily gave them his clothing. (limerickleader.ie)
- courtThe accused had no previous convictions. (limerickleader.ie)
- courtCompensation of €10,000 was offered to the injured party and accepted. (limerickleader.ie)
- sentenceThe judge set a headline sentence of four years and eight months' imprisonment. (limerickleader.ie)
- sentenceThe sentence was reduced to three years and six months' imprisonment, with the final 12 months suspended on a €300 bond. (limerickleader.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 22 Jul2026Prison sentence for Limerick man who bit off part of victim’s thumb outside hotel
Sentencing report. Conway was jailed; the headline sentence was four years and eight months, reduced to three years and six months with the final 12 months suspended on a €300 bond. The article also reports €10,000 compensation accepted by the injured party.
victim, Dean Burke, male, irish (judged from name)Dean Burkeconvicted, Damien Conway, 47, male, named, irish (judged from name)Damien Conway