Additional and more serious charges have been brought against three teenagers accused of attacking US tourist Stephen Termini in Dublin.
Mr Termini (57) was seriously injured during an incident on the corner of Store Street and Talbot Street in the north inner city on July 9th last year.
Three boys, aged 14, 15 and 16, who cannot be named because they are minors, were initially charged during the summer with assault causing harm to Mr Termini, who is from Buffalo, New York. He was hospitalised for several weeks following the incident.
The teenagers were granted bail at Dublin Children's Court in July, with Judge Paul Kelly imposing various conditions.
On Thursday, the boys, who were accompanied to court by family members, were further charged with violent disorder and "causing serious harm" to Mr Termini.
Judge Kelly noted the Director of Public Prosecutions had recommended trial on indictment, meaning the case should go to the Circuit Court, which has wider sentencing powers.
The offences are under Section 15 of the Public Order Act and section four of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act.
Due to their ages, they can plead for the case to remain in the Children's Court, which can consider a juvenile's level of maturity and other relevant factors in a jurisdiction hearing.
The three accused made no reply to the charges and have yet to indicate a plea.
Judge Kelly ordered the disclosure of prosecution evidence to their lawyers and adjourned the case until a date in March when they will face a preliminary hearing in the Children's Court to determine their trial venue.
The three boys remain on bail with strict conditions. The terms include a curfew, being contactable 24 hours a day by phone, and not associating or communicating with each other.
They have also been ordered to stay away from Talbot Street, Railway Street and James Joyce Street in north inner-city Dublin.
