Daughter and son of publican Charlie Chawke to face trial on hotel assault charges

The judge returned Alison Chawke and Bill Chawke for trial before Limerick Circuit Criminal Court on a date yet to be scheduled

Bill Chawke is charged with two counts of assault causing harm, in which he allegedly threw punches at both alleged injured parties, and gouged the eyes of one of the men and hit his head off a bar counter at the Dunraven Arms Hotel. File photo: Liam Burke/Press 22

A daughter and son of prominent pub-chain businessman, Charlie Chawke, were returned on Tuesday for trial on charges of assault causing harm to two men at the luxury four-star Dunraven Arms Hotel in Adare, Co Limerick.

Alison Chawke (aged 40) of The Beeches, Holywell, Goatstown, Dublin 14, is accused of having gouged the eyes of one alleged victim and kicked the other alleged victim in the head a number of times before allegedly biting him on the side of his face, on November 9, 2023.

Ms Chawke is also alleged to have thrown a pint glass at the two alleged victims and a number of other patrons who tried to intervene in the alleged attack.

Bill Chawke (aged 30) of Merrion Street Upper, Dublin 2, is charged with two counts of assault causing harm, in which he allegedly threw punches at both alleged injured parties, and gouged the eyes of one of the men and hit his head off a bar counter at the hotel, which has hosted members of the British Royal family, presidents and movie stars.

At Newcastle West District Court on Tuesday, prosecuting Garda Ronan Hayes of Adare Garda Station told Judge Carol Anne Coolican that he served the two accused with a copy of the State’s Book of Evidence.

Inspector Barry Manton told the court that the Director of Public Prosecutions had consented to both accused ”being sent forward for trial to the current sittings of Limerick Circuit Criminal Court”.

Inspector Manton said that both Alison Chawke and Bill Chawke had “declined the opportunity, in writing, to go forward for trial on a signed plea”.

Judge Coolican asked the two accused to stand up in the body of the court and she gave them what is referred to as “the Alibi Warning”, explaining to them they could not introduce any alibi witnesses which they rely on at their trial unless they gave the State the contacts of any such alibi witnesses within 14 days of Tuesday’s court hearing.

Alison Chawke and Bill Chawke both told the court they understood this, and both signed non-cash lodgement €100 bail bonds.

Alison Chawke is accused of having gouged the eyes of one alleged victim and kicked the other alleged victim in the head a number of times before allegedly biting him on the side of his face. File photo: Liam Burke/Press 22

The court previously heard that the two accused made no reply when charged.

Alison and Bill Chawke’s solicitor, Michael Finucane, made an application for, and was granted, a “Section 56 order” that any recordings of his client’s Garda interviews following their arrests be disclosed to the defence solicitor.

On Tuesday, the judge returned both accused for trial before Limerick Circuit Criminal Court on a date yet to be scheduled.