Teenager accused of attack on US tourist broke bail conditions 14 times in past month

Boy broke curfew six times and was seen on eight occasions hanging around on Dublin streets from which he had been barred, court told

Stephen Termini suffered 'five life-threatening injuries' in an assault on Dublin's northside last year. Picture: Michael Rizzuto/GoFundMe

A youth awaiting trial after US tourist Stephen Termini suffered "five life-threatening injuries" in Dublin last year repeatedly broke bail conditions barring him from the vicinity of the assault.

Three boys 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, 57, from Buffalo, New York.

Dublin Children's Court heard on Tuesday the 16-year-old boy had disobeyed his terms 14 times since the end of April.

Garda Sergeant Niall Godfrey told the court there had been six curfew breaches and the boy had been spotted on eight occasions hanging around on three streets, including once on Talbot Street, from which the court had barred him.

Defence counsel Doireann McDonagh said the latest breaches were accepted. At earlier stages in the proceedings, he had been remanded in custody.

Counsel said the teenager had not picked up new charges, and revocation of bail could result in a lengthy period in detention on remand pending trial.

The court heard he had an educational placement and was involved in a community programme for young people.

His barrister pleaded with the court to give him another chance to prove himself and to note the boy's mental health had been affected.

"I promise, Judge, I will be better. I will not break bail conditions. I'm going to listen to every last thing you said," the boy told the court.

In the presence of his parents and two other relatives, Judge Kelly told the boy he was getting "a last chance" and bail would be rescinded if there was one more breach.

He and his co-defendants were ordered to appear again on dates in June to be served with books of evidence, which the State said were 85% completed.

The 15-year-old boy was given a similar warning he could be sitting his Junior Cert exams in a detention centre after it emerged he had broken his curfew six times in recent months.

He also had a stint in custody previously for non-compliance.

The third and eldest boy, who has never had issues with his bail terms, was allowed a relaxation, allowing him to return to one area in the north inner city.

Mr Termini, an artist and musician, was injured during an incident on the corner of Store Street and Talbot Street in the north inner city on the night of July 19, 2023.

Earlier, the Children's Court judge had refused jurisdiction to hear the case and agreed with the Director of Public Prosecutions it must be dealt with at a higher level with broader sentencing powers.

Garda Sgt Godfrey had told a preliminary hearing medical reports stated the injuries "created a substantial risk of death".

Specialists found Mr Termini had five life-threatening injuries to his right eye and a brain bleed, a head injury, a skull fracture, a traumatic brain injury and also a fractured cheek.

He remained on a ventilator for two days and in the intensive care unit for two weeks before being moved back to the Mater for further rehabilitative treatment until near the end of August.