Teen accused of attack on Stephen Termini has breached bail 14 times in four weeks

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 today that the 16-year-old boy had disobeyed his terms 14 times since the end of April.

Garda Sergeant Niall Godfrey recounted how there had been six curfew breaches and that 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 teen 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 that 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 teen told the court.

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of his parents and two other relatives, Judge Kelly told the boy that he was getting “a last chance” and bail would be rescinded if there was one more breach.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

The 15-year-old was given a similar warning that 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 hurt 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 that it must be dealt with at a higher level with broader sentencing powers.

Garda Sergeant Godfrey had told a preliminary hearing that medical reports stated the injuries “created a substantial risk of death”.

Specialists found that he 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.