Family seeks answers after Yves Sakila's body returned to Ireland instead of DR Congo
Yves Sakila, 35, died following an alleged shoplifting incident at Arnotts department store on Henry Street in Dublin city centre on May 15. Picture: Facebook
The family of Yves Sakila say they are "absolutely devastated" after his body was returned to Ireland following what they describe as a breakdown in communication over the planned repatriation of his remains to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo).
Mr Sakila, 35, died following an alleged shoplifting incident at Arnotts department store on Henry Street in Dublin city centre on May 15.
He had been restrained by security workers after he allegedly attempted to steal a bottle of perfume.
Gardaí arrested him before emergency services arrived and attempts were made to revive him.
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He was taken to hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. The circumstances surrounding his death remain under investigation by gardaí attached to Store Street Garda Station.
His remains left Dublin on Wednesday and were due to be repatriated to DR Congo, where his mother, Janet Sakila, and his uncle, Jean Claude Sakila, had been waiting to bury him.
However, the planned repatriation did not proceed, and his remains are due to be returned to Dublin City Mortuary in Whitehall on Friday.
Family says it has received no explanation
Jean Claude Sakila, Yves' uncle, told the that the family had been left searching for answers.
“We are devastated. His mother Janet wanted to bury him with his father, my brother Norbert Longo Sakila, but the body was stopped in Istanbul.
“Everything was organised, the funeral home was paid to receive the body, the flight was paid for, the paperwork was done, but we have no answers as to why the body was sent back.
“His biological mother is heartbroken. I have called the Ambassador to the UK, and he has not returned my calls since Thursday, so I don’t know what is going on.”
Mr Sakila's stepmother, Angel Issemezey Anzibi, confirmed to the that his remains would be returned to Dublin City Mortuary.
Relatives have blamed the Congolese ambassador to the UK for the situation, claiming they had completed all of the required paperwork, arranged for a funeral home in DR Congo to receive the body and paid all of the associated costs in advance.
Jean Claude Sakila said he had done everything possible to ensure his nephew could be buried in his home country.
“We followed every procedure that was asked of us. Everything was organised so Yves could be buried in his home country and rest in peace. His mother is waiting to see her son before he is buried.”
Yves's stepmother, Angel Issemezey Anzibi, said the family did not know what more it could have done.
“We tried everything in our power to make sure Janet could see her son” she said. “Everything has become so complicated. We have done all we can. The ambassador made the decision as far as we are concerned, so now they need to sort it out. We have no power anymore.”
“I spoke to the garda liaison officer, who helped coordinate the repatriation. Everything was in order. Arrangements had been made with a funeral home in DR Congo before the body left Ireland.
“The funeral home was organised, the paperwork was ready and the costs had been paid so the body could be collected. We are completely devastated. We believe the wishes of the family have not been followed.”
Lassane Ouedraogo, community leader and chairperson of Africa Solidarity Centre Ireland, said: "I did everything to support the family and this is not acceptable, the Ambassador should resign, this is disgraceful and it is shameful, it is completely unacceptable, the family are devastated in both countries."
The family said Mr Sakila moved to Ireland at the age of 13 following the death of his father and was raised by his stepmother, Angel Issemezey Anzibi, who remained in contact with him until his death.
"He went off the railings in his teenage years" she said. "He was later taken into care and fell into homelessness and drug abuse, but he never forgot us and we are heartbroken over all of this".
The family said it is now leaving the matter for the Congolese authorities to resolve as Mr Sakila's remains are returned to Dublin.
The has contacted An Garda Síochána, the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Congolese ambassador to the UK for comment.
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