A DAUGHTER and son of prominent pub chain businessman Charlie Chawke were this Tuesday (December 3) returned for trial on charges of assault causing harm to two men at the luxury four-star Dunraven Arms Hotel in Adare, County Limerick.
Alison Chawke (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 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 (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, gouging the eyes of one of the men and hitting his head off a bar counter at the hotel.
At Newcastle West District Court, 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 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 witnesses within 14 days of Tuesday’s court hearing.
Alison and Bill Chawke both told the court they understood this and signed non-cash lodgements of €100 bail bonds.
The court previously heard the two accused made no reply when charged.
Alison and Bill Chawke’s solicitor, Michael Finucane, made a successful application for an Section 56 order that any recordings of his client’s Garda interviews following their arrests be disclosed to the defence.
The judge returned both accused for trial before Limerick Circuit Criminal Court on a date yet to be scheduled.
