US tourist back in hospital over injuries he sustained in Dublin
AUS tourist left with life-threatening injuries following an attack in Dublin city has been readmitted to hospital in America after suffering medical complications connected to his assault last summer.
Stephen Termini (57) was hospitalised and suffered “five life-threatening injuries” following an incident on the corner of Store Street and Talbot Street in the north inner city on the night of July 19 last.
Three boys, now aged 15, 16 and 17, who cannot be named because they are minors, are accused of violent disorder and causing serious harm to Mr Termini, who is from Buffalo, New York.
The artist and musician later returned to the US but has been outspoken about wanting to gain citizenship and relocate to Ireland permanently.
Mr Termini suffered a health scare last week and spent five nights in hospital.
Speaking to the Sunday Independent, he explained that he suffered a back seizure while in his car about to leave for work in a galvanising plant.
He was rushed to hospital and underwent major surgery.
The issue with his back is directly linked to injuries he sustained in the attack in Dublin, he said.
“I’m back at home now in a wheelchair, with serious pain in my back but I at least get to the bathroom and bed,” he said.
“It doesn’t change my mind about Ireland or the people. I changed my name to Stephen Wilson Donnelly after my great-grandmother from Newport. I still plan to come back as soon as possible,” he added.
He said his priority was to be able to “stand up and work again” so he can continue to save up and return to Ireland. He said there is “absolutely nothing else on my mind” but returning and he intends to petition to get citizenship.
“I want to be home where I belong in Ireland for the rest of my life. Greatest people in the world,” he said.
Last week, two of the three teenagers accused of attacking the American tourist were readmitted to bail.
At a March 26 preliminary hearing in Dublin Children’s Court, Judge Paul Kelly held that they should be sent to the circuit court, which has greater sentencing powers. The two younger boys also had bail revoked and they were remanded in custody after the judge was given lists of dates when they broke conditions imposed by the court, particularly their curfews.
After being held in the Oberstown Children Detention Campus for two weeks they appeared again before Judge Kelly, who granted bail.
He noted there were no garda objections and warned the pair, who were accompanied to court by family members, that they must obey the bail terms or risk going back into custody.
He ordered them to appear again in May when they and their co-accused will be served with books of evidence and returned for trial to the higher court.