Northside politicians call for answers after death of Yves Sakila on Henry Street

The man has been named by members of the Congolese community in Ireland as Yves Sakila, who they say had lived in Ireland since his teenage years and worked as an IT professional.

Gardaí confirmed that an investigation into all the circumstances surrounding the incident is ongoing.

The incident occurred at around 5pm on Friday evening in the city centre.

In a statement, Gardaí said there were “no significant updates at this time”.

Labour TD for Dublin Central Marie Sherlock and Labour by-election candidate Ruth O’Dea both expressed sympathies to Mr Sakila’s family, friends and the wider Congolese community.

Deputy Sherlock said she was “acutely conscious” that the full facts surrounding the incident had yet to emerge, but said the footage circulating online raised serious concerns.

“I want to offer my deepest condolences to the family of Yves Sakila and the close knit Congolese community in this city,” she said.

“My thoughts are also very much with the injured elderly man innocently going about his business.

“I am acutely conscious that the full information and facts of what happened have not emerged, and we await a full investigation into what happened, to include the level of risk and threat to the wider public or the security guards.”

She added that the scenes shown in videos shared online appeared to go “way beyond any proportionate response”.

“Harrowing footage of the apprehended man show him to be already subdued by the presence of at least three or more men, before a knee and body weight was applied to his neck and shoulder area. It is shocking,” she said.

Deputy Sherlock also said the incident raised serious questions about standards within the private security sector.

“The security sector has transformed over the past decade with the professionalism and licensing of security personnel operating across every sector of the economy,” she said.

“It is with great sadness that these standards fell far short on Friday and now we have serious questions about the cause of death for Yves Sakila, a man of colour in our city.”

She confirmed she had contacted both An Garda Síochána and Arnotts “to express my alarm at the situation and to ensure that there is a full investigation of the facts”.

Labour’s Ruth O’Dea described footage of the incident as “absolutely horrific”.

“I want to express my concern at the death of Yves Sakila on Henry Street on Friday,” she said.

“I want to extend my deepest and most sincere sympathies to his family, friends, colleagues and the entire Congolese community in Dublin.”

O’Dea said she noted comments from the Irish Network Against Racism (INAR), which has raised concerns that excessive force may have been used.

“I echo the calls of INAR for a full investigation into all the circumstances leading to Mr Sakila’s death,” she said.

“A post-mortem has been ordered, and we understand that the incident has been referred to Fiosrú. This is welcome.

“We need to ensure that all the circumstances of this incident are thoroughly examined.”

Social Democrats justice spokesperson Gary Gannon TD said the video circulating online was “deeply disturbing and distressing”.

“My thoughts are with Mr Sakila’s family and friends, who are grieving at the moment,” he said.

“This incident has also spread fear and upset throughout our migrant community.”

Deputy Gannon said there must be “an immediate, comprehensive and transparent investigation” into the circumstances surrounding Mr Sakila’s death.

He also linked the incident to wider concerns around racism and discrimination faced by migrants in Ireland.

“The migrant community in Ireland is suffering from rising hate and discrimination, which the government has done very little to combat,” he said.

“My thoughts and solidarity are with Ireland’s migrant community at this difficult time.”