The sons of the US tourist who was seriously assaulted in Dublin last week say their father has come out of a coma.
Stephen Termini, from Buffalo in New York, was attacked by a group of youths on Store Street last week.
The 57-year-old sustained severe head and facial injuries, including damage to one of his eyes.
Michael and Jesse Rizzuto, who arrived in Ireland on Thursday, have been at the bedside of their father in Beaumont Hospital in Dublin.
Jesse Rizzuto said their dad is doing "better" and there has been a "slight improvement here and there".
He said: "We're taking it basically one hour at a time.
"He is making slight improvements that we're very happy with and he's showing some good signs of having a strong resilient body."
Speaking to RTÉ News, Mike Rizzuto confirmed that his father is out of a coma.
"It's in the right direction, but it’s slow," he said.
On the injury Stephen Termini suffered to his eye, Jesse Rizzuto said they do not know yet how severe the damage is.
"They're still trying to do everything they can, so we're leaving it up to their hands because they're the professionals," he said.
Mike Rizzuto said they were "really shocked" by the attack on their dad.
"I still kind of can't believe it, like never would have thought this would happen, so still processing it honestly," he said.
The Rizzuto brothers have praised the support they have received from the people of Ireland in the wake of the attack on their father.
Jesse said the reaction has been "nothing but the greatest".
"Everybody has reached out to us to say this isn't what it's like, we want to show you what it's like," he said.
Tens of thousands of euros have been raised in donations from over 4,000 people to help fund the brothers' journey to Ireland to be with their dad.
"The donations, we never expected a turnout like this, we had it set for you know a smaller amount just to get us over here," Jesse added.
"Everybody that's donated has left us comments as well like so sorry or all the best for your family and this isn't what Ireland is really like and the people don't stand behind that and it's amazing."
Mike said: "We're just so thankful about everything, I wish I could just line everyone up and shake everyone's hand and give hugs and stuff."
The brothers have visited the scene where Stephen Termini was attacked. "It's mind-blowing to say the least, you don't think it'll happen to you until it happens to you," Mike added.
