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| The incident has prompted a vigil by the Congolese community and calls for justice, with particular concern over the excessive use of force by security personnel. |
DUBLIN, Ireland — Irish authorities are investigating the death of Yves Sakila, a 35-year-old Congolese computer programmer who had lived in Ireland since 2004.
On Friday, May 16, Sakila was detained by private security guards outside Arnotts department store on Henry Street following an alleged shoplifting incident. Video footage shows several guards restraining him face down on the ground for several minutes. He lost consciousness at the scene.
Police arrived, briefly handcuffed him, and, realizing his critical condition, began CPR before rushing him to Mater Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. An 80-year-old man was also injured during the incident and remains hospitalized.
Two investigations have been launched: one by the police and another by Fiosrú, the police ombudsman. The autopsy was inconclusive. The toxicology results are pending. The incident has prompted a vigil by the Congolese community and calls for justice, with particular concern over the excessive use of force by security personnel.
Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan described the death as “distressing and worrying,” while Prime Minister Micheál Martin called for a thorough investigation.