Gardaí Seek Woman Knocked Down in Yves Sakila Investigation

Gardaí investigating the death of 35-year-old Yves Sakila in Dublin have issued a renewed public appeal for witnesses. Investigators are seeking a young woman knocked to the ground during the Henry Street incident, confirming they have received a completed post-mortem examination report.

Investigators probing the death of Yves Sakila on Dublin’s Henry Street have issued a renewed appeal for witnesses, focusing particularly on tracing a female bystander who was knocked over during the incident. The incident unfolded on the afternoon of May 15, when Sakila—a Congolese man in his mid-30s who had been living in Ireland since he was in his teens—was pursued by security personnel following an alleged shoplifting incident at Arnotts department store. As Sakila attempted to flee the scene between Moore Street and Coles Lane around 5pm, a pensioner in his 80s was injured during the chaos.

Gardaí Trace the Female Witness

During the confrontation, security guards held Sakila face down on the pedestrianised street. Video footage circulating on messaging apps captured the initial restraint.

While gardaí have already spoken to the injured man, they have yet to speak to the female witness.

Gardaí Seek Woman Knocked Down in Yves Sakila Investigation — Photo: RTE.ie

The woman is described as a white female, dark hair, in her late teens to early twenties, wearing a khaki-coloured waist length coat, black crop T-shirt, blue jeans cut at the knees and black Adidas runners.

Authorities have urged anyone with information to contact Store Street Garda Station on 01 666 8000, the Garda Confidential Line, or any Garda station.

Post-Mortem Results Withheld by Gardaí

When gardaí arrived on Henry Street, Sakila had already been restrained on the ground by security guards for a period.

However, officials stated that the details are not being released for operational reasons.

Protesters and Ministers Demand Investigation into Sakila Death

Demonstrators organized a peaceful March for Justice through the Justice for Yves Sakila Campaign, alongside holding vigils on Henry Street.

Ebun Joseph, the special rapporteur on racism, expressed profound shock and grave concern while calling for an urgent independent investigation, and Congolese Minister for Foreign Affairs Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner traveled to Ireland to meet with Sakila’s family and Irish ministers to discuss the matter. Community advocates and public figures have voiced deep apprehension regarding the circumstances of Sakila’s death, arguing that the case raises concerns about the treatment of black people in Ireland and the use of excessive force by private security staff.

Worth a look