“We’re just taking it hour by hour.”
American tourist Stephen Termini is no longer in a coma after having been seriously assaulted in Dublin city centre earlier this month.
The 57-year-old from Buffalo, New York was injured in an attack that took place on Talbot Street on the night of 19 July. He was subsequently taken to Beaumont Hospital for treatment, with his condition described as “serious but stable”.
The incident has sparked a debate regarding the safety of Dublin’s streets, with the US Embassy going as far as to issue a security alert with safety advice for American citizens visiting Ireland.
Speaking to Virgin Media News on Friday, Mr Termini’s sons Jesse and Michael Rizzuto shared more details on their dad’s recovery.
Stephen Termini and his sons
Stephen Termini’s son says the American tourist assaulted in Dublin has awakened from coma.
They revealed that Mr Termini has awoken from a coma but that the impact of damage received to one of his eyes during the assault remains unclear.
“He is awake. He’s actually out of the coma thankfully,” the pair explained.
“We still don’t know about the eye. We don’t know what’s to come with all of that but he’s out of the coma so that’s at least good.
“So, we’re just taking it hour by hour.”
Mr Termini’s family had previously set up a GoFundMe page so that they could afford to travel to Ireland and be with him after his attack.
While a fundraising goal of $10,000 was set, nearly $130,000 has been raised.
Breaking: The sons of Stephen Termini, the American tourist who was assaulted in Dublin, have been speaking to @Hanelizaa and say their dad is out of a coma#vmnews pic.twitter.com/MYQ0zO6MkL
— Virgin Media News (@VirginMediaNews) July 28, 2023
Speaking about the aftermath of the assault and the support they have received, Mr Termini’s sons said:
“It’s still hard to put into words. I don’t think I have processed it yet. Everyone here has been super helpful.
“Everyone that I’ve met, you know, shaking peoples’ hands, them apologising and reassuring them that I understand the situation.
“Yeah, still, it’s just processing it. I don’t really know how to put it into words.”
Three teenage boys are now facing charges in connection with the incident on 19 July, with the alleged attackers having been remanded on bail pending directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
Main image via GoFundMe
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