US tourist attacked in Dublin no longer in coma

Stephen Termini remains in hospital after he was attacked in Dublin last week

An American tourist who was assaulted in Dublin last week has come out of a coma, his sons have said.

Stephen Termini, 57, from Buffalo, New York, is believed to have been kicked and beaten on Dublin's Store Street on 19 July.

He remains in a serious but stable condition in Beaumont Hospital in Dublin.

Michael and Jesse Rizzuto told Irish broadcaster RTÉ their father is "making slight improvements".

"We're taking it basically one hour at a time," said Jesse Rizzuto, who arrived in Ireland with his brother on Thursday.

"It's in the right direction, but it’s slow."

Since the attack, Irish Minister for Justice Helen McEntee has announced a €10m (£8.6m) funding package specifically targeted at increasing garda (Irish police) visibility in Dublin.

The funds will be immediately available to provide 240,000 extra Garda hours to the end of the year.

Mr Termini's sons arrived in Ireland on Thursday

Mike Rizzuto said the family were "really shocked" by the attack.

"I still kind of can't believe it," he said.

"I never would have thought this would happen, so I'm still processing it."

The brothers have raised more than $100,000 (£78,000) in funding for Mr Termini's care.

The funds will be made available for police overtime in the Dublin metropolitan area

Ms McEntee said: “Dublin is a great city to live in, work in and visit and I am committed to increasing the number of gardaí on our streets to ensure people feel safe, and to build stronger, safer communities."

“Our recruitment into An Garda Síochána is also gathering pace – and we are on track to have 800 new recruits into the college this year."

The minister added she would be willing to meet with Mr Termini's family if they wished.

Three teenage boys, aged between 14 and 16, have appeared before the Children's Court, charged with assault causing harm in connection with the assault.

They were all remanded on continuing bail.

In the wake of the attack on Mr Termini the US Embassy in Dublin issued a security alert to its citizens in the Republic of Ireland.

It encouraged all Americans to be aware of their surroundings when travelling in unfamiliar or crowded locations and empty streets, and to avoid walking alone.