As Bill and Alison Chawke waited outside courtroom number three in Limerick Circuit Court on Tuesday morning, their mood appeared upbeat.

However, a short time later, as Judge Fiona O’Sullivan started to talk about prison time, the reality of their situation dawned on them, and shock quickly became visible on their faces.

The son and daughter of prominent publican Charlie Chawke were in court for a vicious assault they launched on two men at the Dunraven Arms Hotel in Adare, Co Limerick, in November 2023.

Both victims were left with physical and mental injuries.

The Chawkes own some of the country’s best-known pubs, with Bill and Alison heavily involved in the family business, and seemingly highly respected in their industry.

And yet today, mother-of-three Alison and recent newlywed Bill find themselves behind bars.

So, what does it all mean for the Chawke empire?

On this episode of The Indo Daily, host Kevin Doyle is joined by Catherine Fegan, special correspondent with the Irish Independent, and by senior journalist at the Irish Independent, Sean Pollock to discuss the trial and the fallout that now awaits one of Ireland’s most successful families.

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