Solicitor says Yves Sakila died 'over a bottle of perfume' as family demands independent inquiry

(L–R) Lisette Lubungh (representing the Congolese community), Cllr. Semi Adenug (Spokesperson for Black Coalition Ireland), and Dr Mamobo Ogoro (CEO, GORM) speaking at Buswells Hotel about the death of Yves Sakila. Picture: Sam Boal/Collins Photos

The solicitor for the family of Yves Sakila, who lost his life after he was restrained on the ground following an alleged theft, said he died “over a bottle of perfume”.

John Cullen who is representing Mr Sakila’s family was speaking at a press conference organised by members of the Congolese and African communities as well as anti-racism groups.

The 35-year-old Congolese man, who had been living in Ireland since 1991, suffered with drug addiction and was homeless, the conference was told.

On Friday, he was held down on the ground by a number of security personal at Henry Street after an alleged shoplifting incident and died afterwards.

He was alleged to have stolen a bottle of perfume from Arnott’s store.

The incident was captured on video by onlookers.

Mr Cullen said: “The principal point here is that a loss of life occurred as a consequence of a bottle of perfume.

“Mr Sakila was a member of a number of vulnerable social groups, he was homeless and had drug issues.” 

People attend a vigil for Yves Sakila on Henry Street, Dublin. Yves became unresponsive and later died in hospital after security personnel detained him on Henry Street in connection with alleged shoplifting at a retail store on the same street after 5pm on Friday. Picture date: Tuesday May 19, 2026.

He said he was concerned about aspects of the case, including the garda investigation, the coroner’s role, and the pathologist’s office.

He said the garda victims of crime unit has a duty to advise the family of the progress of the investigation and the progress of any inquiry into the cause of death.

“From what I can gather, the information provided has been very sketchy," he said.

Mr Cullen added the family was told that Mr Sakila may have died 20 minutes after the incident “meaning he was in garda custody, but I don’t know the implications of that".

He added: “In respect of the medical examination, I was told that a coroner or a pathologist report had been carried out or an examination had been carried out following Saturday and my understanding is that it's ordinarily that a preliminary report should be published in a matter of 12 or 24 hours. 

"But the family have no such information, so we don't know about the cause of death.” 

Mr Cullen said the family “may see the necessity of an independent pathologist carrying out such an investigation into the cause of death if it cannot be determined by the pathologist office".

Councillor Yemi Adenuga told the conference that Mr Sakila was “well known in the area and wasn’t a stranger even to the people in the shop".

She said: “So, whatever it was that necessitated the need for him to die on the day, there has to be an answer and why it had to happen."

Following the press conference, around 200 people gathered at Government buildings where a number of speakers called for full and transparent investigation.

Supporters held up banners and chanted “Justice for Yves.” 

Yemi Adenuga hit out at a recording of former taoiseach Bertie Ahern making comments about Africans and muslims which was circulated in a social media video.

Mr Ahern expressed “worry” about the next generation of muslim people growing up in Ireland, and also said “we can’t be taking in people from the Congo”.

“Some people said he was speaking the minds of many people,” said Ms Adenuga.

“It is time we stopped defending that these challenges don’t exist they are staring us in the face, look at any of our social media handles, it will tell the story.

“Some will say it is only a small minority — that’s the same story we were told 20 years ago."