US tourists visiting Dublin issued warning after violent attack on American

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The U.S. Embassy in Dublin has issued a travel warning for "security awareness" to tourists looking to visit Ireland following an attack on an American national in the capital city.

"With a number of recent incidents reported in Irish media, the U.S. Embassy in Dublin reminds U.S. citizens to exercise good personal security practices while traveling," the travel advisory posted Tuesday to the embassy website read. 

"The U.S. Embassy Dublin encourages all citizens to be aware of their surroundings, especially when traveling in unfamiliar places, crowded locations, empty streets, or at night," the advisory continued, adding that in particular travelers should "avoid walking alone, if possible, especially during hours of darkness" and remain "vigilant" against theft and robbery. 

The U.S. State Department's issued its last travel advisory notice for Ireland in October 2022 as Level 1, or merely advising that travelers exercise "normal precautions." 

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Stephen Termini, a 57-year-old American tourist, remains in intensive care after a group of youths kicked and beat him in Dublin last week. Emergency personnel responded at the scene and took him to Beaumont Hospital, The Irish Times reported. 

The main street of the Rathmines' section of Dublin, Ireland, on Feb. 17, 2023. (Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

A teenage boy was charged over the weekend in connection with the assault, sitting in a special session of the Children's Court on Sunday afternoon. 

Mike Rizzuto, Termini’s son, said his father had planned to move permanently Ireland. Termini, a resident of Buffalo, New York, had visited Ireland a number of times due to his heritage: His mother’s ashes were spread in Ireland in 2002, and his father used to paint murals in the country, Termini’s son told Irish national broadcaster RTE.  

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"Last time I spoke to him he was saving up every penny, doing odd jobs to get over to Ireland," Rizzuto said. "He was talking about playing music in Ireland. That's where he wanted to be so it really sucks what happened to him." 

Rizzuto over the weekend said he and his siblings are trying to figure out how to get to Ireland to be by their father’s bedside. 

Garda outside the Special Criminal Court, Dublin on April 17, 2023. (Sam Boal/PA Images via Getty Images)

"What happened to my dad should not happen to anybody. I'm just trying to keep on top of everything as best I can and go about it the right way," he added. 

A spokesperson for the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media told Fox News Digital that the advice from the embassy "is common-sense advice" and it "mirrors our own regular travel advisories for citizens traveling abroad."

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"Ireland is, by international standards, a very safe place to visit and to live in, and retains its Level 1 status as a safe destination on the US Embassy’s Safe Traveller Enrolment Programme," the spokesperson stressed. "A practical approach to good personal security practices is entirely sensible and to be encouraged. We note also the Taoiseach’s planned engagement with the Garda Commissioner regarding recent incidents and recruitment of Gardaí."

The Irish Times linked the attack to lower staffing levels for the Garda Síochána, the national police service of Ireland, which has allegedly lost some 240 members since the start of the year while civilian staff numbers remain unchanged in the same time. 

Media Minister Catherine Martin speaks outside the Department of Tourism Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media in Dublin on July 6, 2023. (Liam McBurney/PA Images via Getty Images)

The U.S. Embassy in Dublin issued a number of suggestions for travelers who visit the Emerald Isle, mainly urging Americans to research where they are going ahead of time and to not leave belongings unattended. 

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Additionally, travelers should be wary of showing off expensive jewelry or watches and should avoid carrying large amounts of cash. 

The embassy even suggested that travelers "avoid staring" at their phone while walking in public areas to avoid potential "snatch and grab" theft and should limit earbud or headphone use as well.