After a third youngster was sentenced to jail for his involvement in the attack in Dublin two years ago, a US visitor expressed gratitude for his survival, reports RTE.
Stephen Termini, who claims he now prefers to be called by his great-grandmother’s last name, Donnelly, was seriously assaulted by three adolescent males in the city centre on the evening of July 19, 2023, when he was out for drinks.
Last year, two of the boys—who were then 14 and 15 years old—pleaded guilty to assault inflicting severe harm and received prison sentences of 26 and 32 months, respectively, reports RTE.
The third youngster, who was 16 at the time, was given a 20-month jail term today after entering a guilty plea to a lesser charge of assault causing hurt.
The court heard that on the evening of July 19, 2023, shortly after 10.30 p.m., Mr. Donnelly was strolling down Talbot Street. After passing a group of youngsters, he turned around and started talking to them. He was instructed to “go away” by one of the females he was talking to, the court heard, reports RTE.
The court heard that the older kid repeatedly “jump kicked” Mr. Donnelly in an attack.
Prosecuting counsel Diarmuid Collins was informed by Detective Garda Shane Noone that the kid had kicked four times in total, including a “roundhouse type kick” and a “two-footed jump kick.”
While the second youngster kicked and struck Mr. Donnelly, the first boy stepped aside and seemed to record on his phone, reports RTE.
Mr. Donnelly was knocked down by the third boy’s blow. According to the court, the second and third lads seemed worried about Mr. Donnelly and made sure he was okay before running away.
Mr. Donnelly’s brain was seriously injured. He spent two weeks in critical care at Beaumont Hospital after having surgery to save his right eye’s vision, reports RTE.
Mr. Collins said that he experienced seizures, had problems sleeping, was in excruciating pain all the time, and had trouble walking.
Mr. Donnelly stated outside of court that he had no animosity towards the teenagers, reports RTE.
He said that the punishment did not alter his feelings, and that he had forgiven “those kids for what they did.” He also declared that he had no issues with Irish people.
Although he would say “it’s beautiful,” he stated he would not advise anybody not to visit Dublin because “it’s dangerous.”
He clarified that he had adopted the name Donnelly in honour of his great-grandmother, who immigrated to the United States during the Great Famine, reports RTE.
According to Mr. Donnely, his only goal was to remain in Ireland and continue to live and work here.
His life would be extremely different now, he claimed. He claimed to have burst discs in his back, but he was certain he could still work on it, reports RTE.
He desired a place to live, a place to work, a place to return home, the ability to lie down, sleep, and “play a little bass guitar” while being safe.
Mr. Donnelly stated that he will never be able to play football or ride a horse again due to his injuries.
He said that those things had been taken away from him, but he had to make the most of what he still had. “I’m fortunate to be alive,” he remarked, reports RTE.
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