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How protesters are set for Ireland's parliament over Yves Sakila's 'disturbing' death
TL;DR
Protesters are set to gather in Dublin to demand justice for Yves Sakila, a 35-year-old Congolese man who died after being detained by security guards. Political leaders are calling for a full and independent investigation into his death.
Key points
- Protesters will gather in Dublin to highlight Yves Sakila's death
- Sakila died after being detained by security guards over shoplifting
- Irish police are investigating the incident
- Political leaders are calling for a full investigation
- A vigil was held for Sakila outside the shop on Henry Street
Mentioned in this story
Yves SakilaIrish Network Against RacismMicheál MartinDublin
Protestors will gather in Dublin later on Thursday to once again highlight the death of Yves Sakila.
Last week the 35-year-old was detained by a number of security guards over an alleged shoplifting incident. The Congolese man died not long after in hospital.
Footage of the incident, circulating on social media, has been described by the Irish Network Against Racism (INAR) as "very disturbing" while Irish police are investigating what happened.
Taoiseach (Irish PM) Micheál Martin, and other political leaders, have called for a full investigation, while Ireland's Special Rapporteur on Racism and Racial Equality said that investigation must be "independent and transparent".
On Tuesday dozens of people singing songs and chanting prayers held a vigil for Sakila outside the shop on Henry Street, and a further protest will be held outside the Irish parliament on Thursday.
Gardaí (Irish police) say they were alerted to an incident after security personnel detained Sakila on Henry Street in connection with an alleged shoplifting incident at about 17:00 local time on Friday.
They said a man in his 80s was seriously injured as the suspect attempted the flee the scene. He was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and is still recovering.
Sakila became unresponsive at the scene and was transported by ambulance to the Mater Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
He was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo but grew up in Galway and Dublin.
A video of the incident has been circulating online in which it appears a number of security guards restrained the man face down on the ground.
Gardaí told BBC News NI that investigations into "all circumstances" are continuing and there are "no significant updates".
The incident has also been referred to Fiosrú, Ireland's police ombudsman, for investigation.
INAR said the case "appears" to have "hallmarks of a case of excessive use of force".
"The death of a black man in such circumstances is extremely worrying, and we urge the authorities to thoroughly investigate all of the circumstances leading to this man's death, in order to ensure minority ethnic community confidence in the criminal justice system."
The Special Rapporteur, Dr Ebun Joseph, said the social media footage circulating is causing "significant distress, fear, and outrage across many communities, particularly among Black and minority ethnic communities".
In a letter to An Garda Siochana, the Irish justice minister and Fiosrú - which has been seen by BBC News NI - Joseph said: "The scenes depicted, including the disproportionate and unnecessary level of force used during Mr Sakila's restraint, are deeply disturbing and raise urgent and serious questions which require comprehensive examination."
The incident happened outside Arnotts, one of Dublin's best-known department stores.
Q&A
What happened to Yves Sakila in Dublin?
Yves Sakila was detained by security guards over an alleged shoplifting incident and died shortly after in the hospital.
Why are protesters gathering outside Ireland's parliament?
Protesters are gathering to demand justice for Yves Sakila and to call for a thorough investigation into the circumstances of his death.
What has the Irish government said about Yves Sakila's death?
Taoiseach Micheál Martin and other political leaders have called for a full investigation into Sakila's death, emphasizing the need for it to be independent and transparent.
What actions have been taken by the Irish Network Against Racism regarding this incident?
The Irish Network Against Racism has described the footage of the incident as 'very disturbing' and is supporting calls for an investigation.
