A New York father has fallen into a coma with ‘life-changing’ injuries after teenagers brutally assaulted him in Ireland.
Stephen Termini, 57, was on a ‘dream holiday’ in Dublin when he was kicked and punched by a group of youths in gruesome scenes captured on security footage from afar.
The father-of-two could lose his eye and become a lifelong disability following the attack, which took place on Talbot Street around 10:40pm on Wednesday, police said.
He remains in a ‘critical condition’ in a coma at Beaumont Hospital in the north of the Irish capital, according to his family fundraiser.
A 14-year-old boy has now been arrested in connection with the assault, the Irish independent said.
New York father Stephen Termini, 57, has fallen into a coma with ‘life-changing’ injuries after teenagers brutally assaulted him while on a ‘dream vacation’ to Dublin, Ireland
Termini could lose his eye and become a lifelong disability after Wednesday’s attack, police said. Pictured: Stephen Termini with his sons Mike and Jesse Rizzuto
Termini, a frequent visitor to Ireland, where his family is from, had just left the boarding house where he was staying when the teenagers attacked him.
Security footage shows him strolling down the street when he appears to strike up a conversation with one of the teens.
Some figures appear to kick and punch him, and the group disappears around the corner.
Several teens run from the scene, while some break out in front of it on bicycles.
Shortly afterwards, an ambulance shows up and takes Termini, who is believed to have been kicked several times in the head, to intensive care.
On Sunday, Gardai detectives said a 14-year-old boy had been arrested for an alleged offense in breach of the Non-Fatal Offenses Against the Persons Act 1997.
He is being held under section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 at a Garda station in north Dublin and is due to appear in court on Thursday.
Termini’s son, Mike Rizzuto, described the attack as “unprovoked” in a fundraiser to raise money for the family to fly to Ireland to visit his father in hospital.
“The brutal attack left my father in a coma after suffering several injuries,” Rizzuto said.
“He is currently in critical condition with what I have been told are life changing injuries.
“I receive news of this situation as it comes through the media along with everyone else.”
Rizzuto said his father has a passion for music – something his sons have inherited – and has been “a huge support” in their lives.
“While we may not have been the closest over the years, he’s still my dad and the reason I’m here today,” Rizzuto said.
“I ask that you send healing vibes to my father as my family and I try to learn more facts about the situation.”
The attack took place just yards from Ireland’s busiest police station on Store Street
Termini’s sister Michelle said he had “dreamed” of visiting Ireland, where their ancestors come from, to trace his family heritage
Security footage captured the horrific moment Termini was kicked and punched by a group of youths on Talbot Street around 10:40pm on Wednesday
Their family fundraiser has received more than $95,000 in donations to date, for which Rizzuto said he is “so grateful.”
“I’m still in disbelief,” he told the Irish Independent.
‘My brother and I are going to apply for our passports first thing on Monday, and it looks like we’ll be there as soon as possible.
I have no words for it, I am so grateful. I can’t put it into words, there are so many nice people taking care of us.’
The attack took place meters from Store Street Garda Station – Ireland’s busiest police station – and Rizzuto said he has confidence in the police to catch those responsible.
However, he added that he has become aware of much more in the area since his father’s attack, and he wants the government to take the crime “more seriously.”
“I’ve seen people post on GoFundMe,” he said.
‘I hope they get the same help here as we do.
“I hope they (the government) will take it a little more seriously and justice will be served for everyone who was injured.”
Rizzuto said his father has a passion for music – something his sons have inherited – and has been “a huge support” in their lives
Termini was kicked and punched by a group of youths in gruesome scenes on Talbot Street, Dublin, Ireland, on Wednesday night, police said
Termini’s sister, Michelle, said he worked hard and saved “every penny to pay for the trip to Ireland,” which he had “always dreamed of visiting.”
He vowed to make the trip after his wife died last April, she said.
“He was trying to track down our family who had emigrated to the US from Dublin,” Termini’s sister wrote on the fundraiser.