Attacked US tourist 'saved pennies' for Dublin trip

Stephen TerminiRTE

Mr Termini had come to Ireland to trace his roots

At a glance

  • An American tourist is in intensive care after being attacked in Dublin

  • Stephen Termini's son said his father had been saving for years to make the trip to Ireland

  • A teenage boy has been charged in connection with the assault

The son of an American tourist, who is in intensive care after being attacked in Dublin, said his father "saved every penny" to get to Ireland.

Stephen Termini who is 57 and from Buffalo, New York, is believed to have been kicked and beaten by a group of youths on Dublin's Store Street on Wednesday night.

He had just left his accommodation on nearby Talbot Street before the attack.

A teenage boy was charged in connection with the assault on Sunday and appeared before a special sitting of the Children's Court.

He was remanded on bail to appear before the Children's Court on Thursday.

Earlier, Mike Rizzuto told Irish national broadcaster RTÉ his father "would give you the shirt off his back".

He said he was desperate to get over to Ireland to be with his father and is trying to raise money to make the trip.

"We kind of just feel helpless at the moment," he said.

"It costs a lot of money for plane tickets and nobody really has a plan except for the GoFundMe and maybe be there when he wakes up and I think that would be a very big deal."

Irish heritage

"My dad's mother's ashes were spread in Ireland in 2002 and he was unable to make it there at the time," Mr Rizzuto said.

"His grandfather used to paint murals in Ireland. I've been raised with Irish heritage which is very important to my dad.

"Last time I spoke to him he was saving up every penny, doing odd jobs to get over to Ireland.

"He was talking about playing music in Ireland. That's where he wanted to be so it really sucks what happened to him."

Mr Termini remains in intensive care in Dublin's Beaumont Hospital.

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