Moment tourist, 57, is brutally attacked and left in a coma by a group of teenagers while on his 'dream vacation' to Ireland – and could now lose his eye and 'suffer lifelong disability'

A New York dad has been left comatose with ‘life-changing’ injuries after teenagers brutally assaulted him in Ireland. Stephen Termini, 57, was on a ‘dream vacation’ in Dublin when he was kicked and beaten by a pack of youths in horrific scenes caught from afar on security footage.

The father-of-two could lose his eye and suffer lifelong disability following the attack, which happened around 10.40pm on Talbot Street Wednesday, police said. He remains in a ‘critical condition’ in a coma at Beaumont Hospital in the north of the Irish capital, according to his family fundraiser.

Security footage shows him strolling down the street, when he appears to engage in conversation with one of the teens. Some of the figures appear to kick and punch him, and the group disappears around the corner. Several teenagers run from the scene, while some make a break for it on bikes. Shortly afterwards, an ambulance turns up and takes Termini, who is believed to have been kicked in the head several times, to the intensive care unit.

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Meanwhile, a 14-year-old boy has been arrested in connection with the assault, the Irish Independent has said. Termini, a frequent visitor to Ireland where his family originates from, had just left the guest house where he was staying when the teens pounced on him. He is being detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 at a garda station in north Dublin, and will appear in court on Thursday.

Termini’s son, Mike Rizzuto, described the attack as ‘unprovoked’ in a fundraiser aiming to raise money for the family to fly to Ireland to visit his father in hospital. ‘The brutal attack has left my father in a coma after suffering various injuries,’ Rizzuto said. ‘He is currently in critical condition with what I am told are life altering injuries. I am receiving news of this situation as it comes in through the media alongside everyone else.’ Pictured: Stephen Termini (middle) with his sons Mike and Jesse Rizzuto.

Rizzuto said his father is passionate about music – something his sons have inherited – and has been ‘a huge support’ over their lives. ‘Although we may have not been the closest throughout the years he is still my father and the reason I am here today,’ Rizzuto said. ‘I am asking for you to send healing vibes to my father while my family and I attempt to learn more facts of the situation.’ Their family fundraiser has so far received more than $95,000 in donations, for which Rizzuto said he is ‘so thankful.’ ‘I’m still in disbelief,’ he told the Irish Independent. ‘My brother and I are going to apply for our passports Monday first thing, and it looks like we’ll be over there as soon as. ‘ have no words, I’m so thankful. I can’t put it into words, there are so many nice people out there looking out for us.’

The attack took place just yards from Store Street Garda Station – Ireland’s busiest police HQ – and Rizzuto said he has faith in police to catch those responsible. However, he added that since his father’s attack he has become aware of many more in the area, and he wants the Government to take crime ‘more seriously.’ ‘I have seen people post on the GoFundMe,’ he said. ‘I hope they’re getting the same help that we are through this. I hope they (the Government) begin taking it a little more seriously and justice is served for everyone that’s been injured and hurt.’

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