Thursday 29 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 8823Assault causing harm · Co. Limerick · 9 Nov 2023

Siblings Bill and Alison Chawke jailed for assault at Adare hotel

Bill Chawke and his sister Alison Chawke assaulted two men, Gerard Cox and John McHugh, in the residents bar of the Dunraven Arms Hotel, Co Limerick, on 9 November 2023. Alison Chawke was held overnight in a garda cell after initially refusing to give her details. The siblings first appeared at Newcastle West District Court on 1 October 2024, then pleaded guilty to assault causing harm before Limerick Circuit Criminal Court. Judge Fiona O'Sullivan jailed them in July 2026, with the final parts of their sentences suspended.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced1 Jul
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Bill Chawke and Alison Chawke, a son and daughter, assaulted Gerard Cox and John McHugh.
  • Bill Chawke lunged at Gerard Cox to start the attack.
  • Alison Chawke bit John McHugh on the face and kicked him in the head.
  • The two siblings gouged the men's eyes during the attack.
Where
The attack began in the residents bar of the Dunraven Arms Hotel, Co Limerick.
When
The assault took place on 9 November 2023.
Weapon
Alison Chawke threw a glass pint at the men.
Cause
Both siblings were alcohol intoxicated, and their only defence was that the men had stared and smirked at them.
Investigation
Alison Chawke initially refused to give her details to gardaí and was held overnight in a garda cell.
Charges
Alison Chawke pleaded guilty to assaulting John McHugh, causing him harm, and Bill Chawke admitted assaulting Gerard Cox, causing him harm.
In court
The siblings first appeared at Newcastle West District Court on 1 October 2024 and pleaded guilty before Limerick Circuit Criminal Court.
Sentence
  • Judge Fiona O'Sullivan 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; one source gives a combined term of two and a half years.
  • Both siblings entered bail bonds of €1,000, pledging to keep the peace and commit no further offences during the suspended part of their sentences.
Other details
  • Gerard Cox suffered a swollen eyelid, bruising, a black eye, pain in his cheekbone and mental trauma.
  • The article is dated 1 July 2026 in its metadata and 14 July 2026 in its body text.
16 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatBill and Alison Chawke were jailed for two-and-a-half years between them after pleading guilty to assaulting two men. (thejournal.ie)
  • whatBill Chawke initiated the attack by lunging at Gerard Cox, while Alison Chawke threw a glass pint at the men. (thejournal.ie)
  • whatAlison Chawke bit John McHugh on the face and kicked him in the head. (thejournal.ie)
  • whatThe two siblings gouged the men's eyes during the attack. (thejournal.ie)
  • whereThe attack began in the residents bar of the Dunraven Arms Hotel. (thejournal.ie)
  • whenThe assault took place on 9 November 2023. (thejournal.ie)
  • causeThe two siblings were alcohol intoxicated when they attacked the men, and their only defence was that the men had stared and smirked at them. (thejournal.ie)
  • investigationAlison Chawke initially refused to give her details to gardaí and was held overnight in a garda cell. (thejournal.ie)
  • chargeAlison Chawke pleaded guilty to assaulting John McHugh, causing him harm. (thejournal.ie)
  • chargeBill Chawke admitted assaulting Gerard Cox, causing him harm. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtThe two siblings pleaded guilty before Limerick Circuit Criminal Court. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtThey had first appeared before Newcastle West District Court on 1 October 2024. (thejournal.ie)
  • sentenceJudge Fiona O’Sullivan sentenced Bill Chawke to two years and six months, with the final 12 months suspended. (thejournal.ie)
  • sentenceJudge Fiona O’Sullivan sentenced Alison Chawke to two years and two months, with the final 14 months suspended. (thejournal.ie)
  • sentenceBoth siblings entered bail bonds of €1,000, pledging to keep the peace and not commit further offences during the suspended part of their sentences. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherGerard Cox suffered a swollen eyelid, bruising, a black eye, pain in his cheekbone and mental trauma. (thejournal.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 1 Jul2026
    Sentencedthejournal.ie, first report
    Bill and Alison Chawke jailed for assault at luxury Co Limerick hotel

    Sentencing report for an assault on two men at the Dunraven Arms Hotel. The siblings had first appeared at Newcastle West District Court on 1 October 2024. No existing case in the list matches this incident.

    convicted, Bill Chawke, 31, male, named, irish (judged from name)Bill Chawkeconvicted, Alison Chawke, 41, female, named, irish (judged from name)Alison Chawkevictim, Gerard Cox, 50s, male, irish (judged from name)Gerard Coxvictim, John McHugh, 50s, male, irish (judged from name)John McHugh