Courts / Dublin / Report

Teens who viciously attacked US tourist and left him with serious brain injuries sentenced to detention

Date
2025-02-13
Stage
Sentence
Primary locality
Dublin City
County
Dublin

Summary

Two teenage boys, aged 14 at the time of the attack, were sentenced to 32 and 26 months in detention for assault causing serious harm and violent disorder after viciously kicking and punching US tourist Stephen Termini on 19 July 2023 in Dublin city centre. Termini suffered serious brain injuries, skull, orbital and cheek fractures, and required emergency surgery to save his sight, followed by two weeks of specialist intensive care. He has ongoing cognitive issues, PTSD, constant pain, trouble sleeping, and mobility problems. Termini's victim impact statement highlighted over €103,000 in medical expenses and his desire for restitution. The court noted the attackers' actions were "vicious and unprovoked", with no weapons used, and that the injuries were foreseeable. The sentences reflect the severity of the assault and the lasting impact on Termini's life. The third boy, now 17, pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of assault causing harm and will be sentenced on 26 February.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Teens who viciously attacked US tourist and left him with serious brain injuries sentenced to detention. Charges or matters: assault causing serious harm and violent disorder at Store Street, Dublin 1 and were handed sentences last year; a lesser charge of assault causing harm, and he was remanded on continuing bail. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

Why: Counsel said what happened that night was because of a "very quick set of circumstances". CNI source report

Case subjects

Stephen Termini

Applicant

Charges: assault causing serious harm and violent disorder at Store Street, Dublin 1 and were handed sentences last year; a lesser charge of assault causing harm, and he was remanded on continuing bail (Alleged Or Contested)

Places mentioned

Incident
Court Venue
  • Dublin
  • Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Facility
  • Mater Hospital
  • Beaumont Hospital
Journey Or Route
  • Store Street
Garda Station
  • boy went to the garda station

Topics

Stage Sentence Violent Crime

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

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