Father of 'Ireland's George Floyd' only learned of son's death when someone sent him video of the 35-year-old being held on the ground - as he demands justice

Published: 09:11, 23 May 2026 | Updated: 09:13, 23 May 2026 The father of 'Ireland's George Floyd' only learned of his son's death after he was sent the video of the 35-year-old being held on the ground - and now is demanding justice.  Shocking footage shows Congolese Yves Sakila - who had been living in Ireland for more than 20 years - being held on the ground outside Arnotts on Dublin's Henry Street by security workers for almost five minutes. The footage shows Mr Sakila trying to use his right hand to lift his body off the ground under the weight of the security guards. Mr Sakila, who was homeless and suffered with addiction issues, was declared dead in the Mater Hospital last Friday evening. A post-mortem carried out on his remains this week was understood to be 'inconclusive'. Gardaí are now awaiting the results of toxicology tests. Now, Mr Sakila's father, Belgium-based Alain Sakila, this week said he is flying to Dublin in a bid 'to get justice for my son'. Mr Sakila, 56, who works as a pushback driver for Air France planes, only learned of his son's death after receiving a video of the incident while at work.  He described the video as 'horrific' and 'shocking'.  A video of the incident shows Mr Sakila being pinned to the ground by at least five men for almost five minutes as bystanders watched It comes as the heads of a security company employed by a Dublin store also flew in from the UK this week as the garda investigation into his death intensified. The directors of Synergy Security Solutions, who have over 1,500 employees globally, arrived in the capital on Tuesday. The gardaí have also appointed a senior investigative office to head up the probe into his death. In the wake of Mr Sakila's death, hundreds of people gathered outside Leinster House this week demanding 'justice' for the Congolese national's death.  A solicitor for the family claimed the alleged shoplifter died 'as a consequence of a bottle of perfume'. Ireland's Special Rapporteur on Racism and Racial Equality has called for an independent investigation into Mr Sakila's death. Dr Ebun Joseph said she has written to Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan, Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly and the Garda Ombudsman, Fiosrú, expressing her concern about the circumstances surrounding Mr Sakila's death. Gardaí were alerted last Friday afternoon after security personnel detained Mr Sakila in connection with an alleged shoplifting incident. Hundreds of people gathered outside Leinster House this week demanding 'justice' for the Congolese national's death Mr Sakila's father, Alain Sakila, this week said he is flying to Dublin in a bid 'to get justice for my son' During the incident, a man in his 80s was injured as the suspect attempted to flee the scene. The Irish Network Against Racism described a video of the incident, which shows Mr Sakila being held on the ground for almost five minutes, as 'very disturbing'. It said the detained man is initially heard shouting in distress, but by the end of the video he appears to be motionless. In a statement, Dr Joseph said the footage has 'caused profound distress, fear, and outrage across many communities, particularly among black and minority ethnic communities who already experience heightened anxiety regarding racial profiling, excessive force, unequal treatment, and over-policing in public spaces'. She added: 'The scenes depicted are deeply disturbing and raise urgent and serious questions which require comprehensive examination.' The Special Rapporteur also expressed concerns about what she described as the normalisation of hostility toward migrants, black communities, and minority ethnic groups within public discourse and wider society. 'This incident does not exist in isolation. It emerges within a broader social and political climate in which increasingly hostile rhetoric surrounding migrants, refugees, racialised minorities, and black communities has become more visible and, at times, normalised within public discourse,' Dr Joseph said. 'Such rhetoric contributes to the dehumanisation of vulnerable communities and risks creating an environment in which violence, suspicion, and unequal treatment become more socially tolerated.' People stand near flowers laid outside a department store on Henry Street where Mr Sakila was restrained by security guards The Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Democratic Republic of the Congo said it has taken steps to ensure that an independent investigation into the death of Mr Sakila is carried out in Ireland. In a statement posted on X, the Ministry said it is following the case 'with deep emotion and serious concern'. The ministry said it has taken diplomatic and consular steps to establish the exact circumstances of Mr Sakila's death and to ensure that an 'independent, transparent and diligent investigation is conducted'. Gardaí investigating Mr Sakila's death said they have recovered footage from CCTV and social media of the incident. They are looking to speak with anyone who was on Henry Street between Moore Street and Coles Lane between 5pm and 5.25pm last Friday, May 15. Anyone with information is asked to contact Store Street Garda Station on 01 666 8000, the Garda Confidential Line, or any garda station. No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. 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