A 35-year-old Congolese man, identified as Yves Sakila, has died after being restrained by security guards outside a department store in Dublin, Ireland, following an alleged shoplifting incident.
According to reports, the incident occurred on Friday afternoon outside Arnotts department store, where Sakila was accused of attempting to steal perfume bottles.
Videos circulating on social media showed several security guards pinning the man to the pavement for several minutes while bystanders watched. In the footage, one of the guards appeared to place a knee on the back of Sakila’s head or neck as he screamed during the struggle.
Witnesses at the scene, including shoppers and mothers with prams, were seen observing the incident as security personnel repeatedly shouted at him to “stay down.”
After several minutes, Sakila reportedly became unresponsive, prompting the guards to release him before emergency services arrived.
Irish police said security operatives detained Sakila shortly after 5 p.m. in connection with an alleged theft incident before he later lost consciousness at the scene.
He was subsequently rushed to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Authorities disclosed that Sakila, originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo, had been living in Ireland since 2004.
The incident has triggered widespread reactions across Ireland, particularly among minority communities, with many describing the footage as disturbing and demanding accountability.
Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin expressed concern over the development, stressing that the circumstances surrounding the incident must be fully investigated.
“The full circumstances of what happened need to be examined and investigated fully and thoroughly. The situation is deeply concerning,” Martin said while addressing parliament.
Police confirmed that investigations into the incident are ongoing. Authorities also stated that an elderly man in his 80s sustained injuries during the altercation as Sakila allegedly attempted to flee.
The Garda Ombudsman Commission, known as Fiosrú, has also launched an independent review of the incident following a referral from police authorities.
Experienced broadcast journalist with over 5 years of experience in reporting, multimedia editing, and storytelling across both traditional and digital media. I currently work with Vision FM 92.1 and Daily Frontier, where I report on security, conflict, and humanitarian issues, while also translating news into Hausa and Pidgin to reach wider audiences.
I also serve as a correspondent for Daily Frontier in Plateau and Benue States, Nigeria, covering security, conflict, and humanitarian developments in the region.
I hold a Diploma in Mass Communication from Adamawa State Polytechnic and a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication from the National Open University of Nigeria.
