Yves Sakila's funeral to take place in Democratic Republic of the Congo

Yves Sakila fell ill and died following an alleged shoplifting incident in Dublin. Picture: Facebook

The body of Yves Sakila, who fell ill and died following an alleged shoplifting incident in Dublin, will be flown home to the Democratic Republic of the Congo for his funeral in the coming days.

The 35-year-old died on May 15 at the Mater Hospital. 

He had been accused of stealing a bottle of perfume from Arnott’s department store on Henry St in Dublin city centre.

His subsequent entanglement with security was filmed by passersby and circulated on social media.

Mr Sakila was in the homeless service and had addiction issues.

His remains have been in the Dublin city morgue at Whitehall since he died. 

His stepmother, Angel Issemezey Anzibi, and his stepsister identified him officially to gardaí on May 16.

The Irish Examiner has learned that following a family consultation, Mr Sakila’s remains will be repatriated back to the Congo, where his biological mother, Janet Sakila, will bury him.

Ms Anzibi has written to the minister for foreign affairs at the Republic of Congo to confirm that after several discussions with Mr Sakila’s biological family, she will celebrate his life here, before he is returned to his mother.

She explained that this is the “best decision” for all, so that Mr Sakila’s family, here and at home, could pay their respects.

Community leader and chairperson of the Africa Solidarity Centre Ireland, Lassane Ouedraogo, said he had known Mr Sakila for years through outreach work supporting migrants, asylum seekers, and vulnerable young people.

He said the family are “happy that his remains have been released" and that decisions have been made to prepare for Mr Sakila’s funeral.

“It has been a long and difficult road for the family,” he said. 

“But the decisions have been made, and Mr Sakila can be laid to rest finally in the coming days after he is brought home."

Mr Sakila came to Ireland when he was 13 years old through a family repatriation programme.

Two autopsies have taken place on Mr Sakila’s body, one by the state pathologist, a second by an independent pathologist, Dr David Rouse, who was appointed by the family.

Dr Rouse said Mr Sakila’s brain and heart should have been examined by specialists, given the circumstances around his death, which involved restraint. 

He told the family it is too late to carry out those examinations now.