US tourist assaulted in Dublin sets up second GoFundMe amid disagreement with son

Sarah Slater

A US tourist seriously injured in an alleged assault in Dublin city centre has set up a second GoFundMe page following a dispute with his son over the money raised in an earlier fundraiser.

Stephen Termini (57), from Buffalo, New York, suffered serious injuries after allegedly being attacked on Talbot St in Dublin in July.

Three teenagers have been charged in connection with the incident are awaiting directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions in their cases.

Mr Termini was hospitalised for several weeks due to his injuries, with one of his sons - Michael (Mike) Rizzuto - setting up a GoFundMe page to help with medical expenses and travel costs to enable Mr Termini's family to come to Ireland to be with him during his recovery.

Over €120,000 was raised through the GoFundMe page.

However, a dispute between Mr Termini and his son has now broken out, with Mr Termini alleging that he has not received any of the money donated. Mr Rizzuto claims the donations were not for his father's personal use, adding that there are taxes and charges which must be covered.

Mr Termini has now set up a second GoFundMe page in a bid to help him gain Irish citizenship and buy a home in Co Mayo, from where he says his great-grandmother hailed.

His fundraiser, titled 'Uniting with Ireland', had raised $10 (€9) of its $100,200 (€93,930) target at the time of publication.

Independent councillor for Dublin north inner city Christy Burke said that while he does not condone the vicious assault on Mr Termini and the serious injuries he suffered, "he shouldn’t take the Irish people for granted when it comes to donating more money".

"It is right that his sons have not allowed him access to the public donations. As Mr Termini’s son said, it is to be used for his father’s hospital treatment and medical costs and nothing else.

"The kindness of the Irish people should not be taken as a weakness," Cllr Burke said.

"The Irish are renowned for their willingness to donate to charities, but the issues around the first GoFundMe account should be dealt with first before another crowdfunding bid should be set-up," he added.

A Trust and Safety team forms part of GoFundMe's operations, aiming to ensure that any public donations are spent as intended, or else they are refunded.