Yves Sakila was killed on the Street of Dublin, Republic of Ireland, by security men on Friday, May 15, 2026. It was a horrendous and brutal way to die. The road to the avoidable tragedy began when Sakila was arrested by some private security men who accused him of shoplifting.
He was wrestled to the ground, and about eight men descended on him, drew his cloth over his face, and began to pummel him, and one of them struck him with his knee in the neck area, and he was there after smootherd to death in full public glare.
By the time police officers came, Sakila was dead, murdered most horrendously.
The 35-year-old man was later pronounced dead at the Mater Hospital.
Critics say the security men who murdered him applied maximum force and fatal blows because of the colour of his skin, and the killing has sparked racial brickbats beyond Ireland.
Members of the Congolese Community visited the place of his execution to lay flowers and call for justice for one of their own. Walter Kabangu, a member of the Congolese community in Ireland, said: “The feeling is very regretful, very sad… and we are truly wanting to get the community and society just to seek justice for the deceased individual.”
The Irish Network Against Racism described a video of the incident, which shows Mr Sakila being held on the ground for almost five minutes as “very disturbing”.
Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan said a thorough investigation is underway into the death of Mr Sakila after demonstrators called for a full probe.
”The most important thing that should happen next is that there should be a thorough Garda investigation.
“Notwithstanding the fact that it was private security individuals who were involved, there was a subsequent garda involvement, and because of that, there will also be a Fiosrú investigation,” Mr O’Callaghan said.
Emily Williams of the Irish Council for Civil Liberties said: “Any use of force, whether this is by a state agent, such as An Garda Síochána, or a private security official, should only be done when it is proportionate and necessary.
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The retailer said it is cooperating with the garda investigation and that it is also conducting a “full review with the independently contracted security firm that provides in-store security services for Arnotts”.
