Yves Sakila: After getting 'no information' from autopsy, family seek independent review

Democratic Republic of Congo foreign minister Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner with Yves Sakila's uncle Jean Claude, and step-mother Angel Issemezey Anzibistep laying flowers at the memorial where he was restrained and later died on Henry St, Dublin. Picture: Sam Boal/Collins

A row has erupted over the handling of the post-mortem examination of Yves Sakila after his family said they were forced to seek an independent pathology review because they received "no information whatsoever" from the State process.

Mr Sakila died after he was restrained following an alleged shoplifting incident at Arnotts department store on Henry Street in Dublin on May 15.

The family's concerns centre on reports that the initial autopsy findings have been reported as "inconclusive". 

Relatives say they have not been provided with any preliminary pathology report, summary findings, or explanation as to why such a conclusion was reached.

Mr Sakila's uncle, Jean Claude Sakila, told the Irish Examiner: "We have still no information, and now we have to fight to get our own autopsy, but they were being reluctant in the coroner's office so we had to bring it to the Congolese minister [for foreign affairs] and now it is happening."

Correspondence shows the family has engaged independent forensic pathologist Dr David Rouse who will carry out a review of the findings. 

The family's solicitor, John Gerard Cullen, said he remains concerned that potentially vital evidence may not be available to the independent expert because CCTV footage from Arnotts and material held by An Garda Síochána have not yet been released.

"I have written to Arnotts and to the gardaí seeking CCTV footage," he said.

"However, I have not received it because there is an ongoing garda investigation.

"We have now had to hire our own independent pathologist who will be here on Tuesday to examine the evidence, but unfortunately, we will not have all of it if the CCTV footage is not made available."

Mr Cullen said the family felt they had little choice but to commission their own expert review.

Irish Examiner reporter Alison O'Reilly speaking to members of Yves Sakila's family in Dublin last week. Picture: Gareth Chaney

"Given the lack of information available to the family, they have been forced to engage their own pathologist," he said.

Community leader and chairperson of the Africa Solidarity Centre Ireland, Lassane Ouedraogo, is the advocate for the Sakila family.

He said the family want “full transparency and we are so far not getting it".

“There are too many questions," he added.

A spokesperson for An Garda Síochána said: "This matter is subject of two investigations. As these are ongoing and in order to protect them, An Garda Síochána will not be commenting further than the two statements it has publicly released.

"In such situations, An Garda Síochána appoints a family liaison officer to engage with the family of the deceased."