A 14-year-old boy charged with attacking a US tourist who was hospitalised after an assault in Dublin city centre has been remanded on continuing bail pending directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
Stephen Termini (57), from Buffalo, New York, was attacked on the corner of Store Street and Talbot Street in the north inner city last week. He remains in a serious but stable condition in Dublin’s Beaumont Hospital.
The accused, who cannot be identified because he is a minor, was arrested at the weekend and granted bail with conditions following a special court sitting on Sunday. He is charged with assault causing harm to Mr Termini at Store Street, Dublin 1, on July 19th, contrary to section three of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act. He has yet to indicate a plea.
The teenager, accompanied by his father, appeared before District Court president Judge Paul Kelly at Dublin Children’s Court on Thursday.
Sgt John Brady, of Store Street station, told the court that the DPP’s directions were not available yet and said there was agreement to adjourn the case until October.
Sgt Brady did not object to an application from defence barrister Róisín O’Mara who asked the court to vary the boy’s bail terms, which were not read out, for a week commencing in August.
Judge Kelly ordered the boy to return to the Children’s Court on October 5th.
A decision has yet to be made as to whether the case will remain in the Children’s Court or go forward to the Circuit Court, which has broader sentencing powers.
Two other male juveniles were arrested and detained at north Dublin garda stations in connection with the attack on Thursday.