The father of a man being called 'Ireland's George Floyd' only discovered his son had died after being sent a video of the 35-year-old being restrained on the ground, and is now calling for justice.
Disturbing footage shows Congolese national Yves Sakila, who had resided in Ireland for over two decades, being pinned down outside Arnotts on Dublin's Henry Street by security personnel for nearly five minutes. In the video, Mr Sakila can be seen attempting to lift his body off the ground using his right hand while under the weight of the guards.
Mr Sakila, who was homeless and struggled with addiction, was pronounced dead at the Mater Hospital last Friday evening. A post-mortem examination conducted this week is believed to have been 'inconclusive', and gardaí are awaiting toxicology results.
Mr Sakila's father, Alain Sakila, who lives in Belgium and works as a pushback driver for Air France, said he is travelling to Dublin to 'get justice for my son'. The 56-year-old learned of his son's death after receiving the video while at work, describing it as 'horrific' and 'shocking'.
The video shows Mr Sakila being restrained by at least five men for almost five minutes as onlookers watched. Meanwhile, the directors of Synergy Security Solutions, the security company employed by the store, flew in from the UK this week as the garda investigation intensified. The company has over 1,500 employees globally. Gardaí have appointed a senior investigative officer to lead the probe.
In response to Mr Sakila's death, hundreds of people gathered outside Leinster House this week demanding justice for the Congolese national. A solicitor for the family claimed Mr Sakila died 'as a consequence of a bottle of perfume'.
Ireland's Special Rapporteur on Racism and Racial Equality, Dr Ebun Joseph, has called for an independent investigation into the death. She has written to Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan, Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly, and the Garda Ombudsman, Fiosrú, expressing concern about the circumstances.
Gardaí were alerted last Friday afternoon after security personnel detained Mr Sakila in connection with an alleged shoplifting incident. During the incident, a man in his 80s was injured as the suspect attempted to flee.
The Irish Network Against Racism described the video as 'very disturbing', noting that Mr Sakila is initially heard shouting in distress but appears motionless by the end. Dr Joseph said the footage has 'caused profound distress, fear, and outrage across many communities, particularly among black and minority ethnic communities'. She added: 'The scenes depicted are deeply disturbing and raise urgent and serious questions which require comprehensive examination.'
Dr Joseph also expressed concerns about the normalisation of hostility toward migrants, black communities, and minority ethnic groups in public discourse. 'This incident does not exist in isolation. It emerges within a broader social and political climate in which increasingly hostile rhetoric surrounding migrants, refugees, racialised minorities, and black communities has become more visible and, at times, normalised within public discourse,' she said.
The Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Democratic Republic of the Congo said it has taken steps to ensure an independent investigation into Mr Sakila's death is carried out in Ireland. In a statement on X, the ministry said it is following the case 'with deep emotion and serious concern' and has taken diplomatic and consular steps to establish the exact circumstances and ensure an 'independent, transparent and diligent investigation'.
Gardaí investigating the death have recovered CCTV and social media footage of the incident. They are seeking anyone who was on Henry Street between Moore Street and Coles Lane between 5pm and 5.25pm last Friday, May 15. Anyone with information is asked to contact Store Street Garda Station on 01 666 8000, the Garda Confidential Line, or any garda station.
