Death of suspected shoplifter restrained by security guards being called Ireland’s George Floyd
The death of a suspected shoplifter restrained by security guards outside a Dublin department store has triggered warnings of a “George Floyd moment” from anti-racism campaigners.
Yves Sakila, who was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo, called out for help as he was pinned face down to the ground with one man’s knee on his neck.
The 35-year-old, who grew up in Galway, was detained on suspicion of shoplifting but died shortly after being taken to hospital on Friday.
The images were reminiscent of the murder of Floyd, a black American killed by a white police officer in Minneapolis in 2020.
On Thursday, hundreds of protesters gathered outside the Irish parliament to demand justice.
“We call this a George Floyd moment,” said David Kaliba, a 35-year-old physics student who went to school with Sakila.
“I can’t believe it happened in America in 2020 and happened in Ireland in 2026.”
The Irish Network Against Racism said there were “hallmarks of a case of excessive use of force” and the death of a black man in such circumstances was “extremely worrying”.
Ebun Joseph, Ireland’s special rapporteur on racism and equality, called for an “urgent” investigation into Sakila’s death, which she said had caused “significant distress, fear and outrage across many communities”.
Footage of the incident showed Sakila’s hood being pulled over his face by one guard, before another appeared to lean down and forcefully push his knee into his neck four times.
After about two minutes, Sakila stopped struggling and became motionless, as dozens of shoppers watched.
A tribute with flowers and a sign reading “Black lives matter here too” was left outside Arnott’s department store, where Sakila was detained.
Micheal Martin, Ireland’s Taoiseach, said he was “very concerned” by Sakila’s death and called for a “thorough investigation”.
He said: “My deepest sympathies go out to his family, and to the wider Congolese community. I don’t want to prejudice the outcome of that investigation, but I think a lot of people are clearly very concerned about what has transpired here”.
Stephen Bowen, executive director of Amnesty International Ireland, said: “Video suggests excessive use of force. Comprehensive investigations are needed into the actions of private security and police, ending in Yves Sakila’s death.
“His family, friends and the Congolese and African communities need truth and justice to prevail.”
A Gardai spokesman said: “We are continuing to investigate all of the circumstances surrounding the death of Yves Sakila ... The post-mortem examination has been completed by the Office of the State Pathologist. The results of which are not being released for operational reasons.”
Ireland’s police watchdog said the Gardai had referred itself for investigation regarding the incident.
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