Ireland braces for 'George Floyd moment' after Congolese shoplifter dies after being pinned down by security

Ireland is bracing for a "George Floyd moment" after an alleged shoplifter died after being restrained by security guards.

Yves Sakila, who was born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, called out for help as he was pinned down to the ground.

The 35-year-old man was detained outside department store Arnotts on suspicion of shoplifting, and died shortly after being taken to hospital.

Images of the man being surrounded by officers were strikingly similar to the death of American George Floyd - whose killing in Minnesota sparked the rampant Black Lives Matter movement in 2020.

The Irish Network Against Racism claimed there were "hallmarks of a case of excessive use of force" during Mr Sakila's restraint.

And Black Coalition Ireland - who organised a protest outside the Irish Parliament - called for a "full, transparent, and independent investigation" into his death.

On Thursday, hundreds of demonstrators attended the protest, chanting "justice for Yves, dignity for all" and "no justice, no peace".

Dr Ebun Joseph, Ireland's special rapporteur on racism and equality, was among the speakers at the demonstration.

She voiced her "profound shock and grave concern" at the incident, and called for an "urgent" investigation into the circumstances of his death, which had caused "significant distress, fear and outrage".

David Kaliba, a 35-year-old physics student who went to school with Mr Sakila, told The Telegraph: "We call this a George Floyd moment.

"I can’t believe it happened in America in 2020 and happened in Ireland in 2026."

An video of the incident appeared to show a security guard pulling Mr Sakila's hood over his face, while another appeared to push his knee into this neck as he leaned down.

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After about two minutes, he stopped struggling and became motionless.

In the Minnesota incident, Derek Chauvin - who was sentenced to 22-and-a-half years for murder - knelt on George Floyd's neck for about nine minutes after he was accused of using a counterfeit $20 bill.

Michael Martin, Ireland's Taoiseach, said he was "very concerned" by Mr Sakila's death and called for a thorough investigation.

He said: "My deepest sympathies go out to his family, and to the wider Congolese community. I don't want to prejudice the outcome of that investigation, but I think a lot of people are clearly very concerned about what has transpired here."

A tribute with flowers and a sign reading "black lives matter here too" was left outside the store, where Mr Sakila was detained.

At a previous press conference, a solicitor for his family said he understood Mr Sakila had been homeless and had certain drug issues.

Councillor Yemi Adenuga, the first elected black female public representative in Ireland, said he had been failed by the system and should have been supported by his challenges.

Arnotts said in a statement it was "deeply saddened" by the incident, adding that it was co-operating with the Gardai.

A Gardai spokesman said: "We are continuing to investigate all of the circumstances surrounding the death of Yves Sakila following an incident on Henry Street, Dublin, on May 15, 2026, shortly after 5pm.

"The post-mortem examination has been completed by the Office of the State Pathologist. The results of which are not being released for operational reasons."

Fiosru, the police watchdog for the Gardai, said it had attended the scene on Friday after the Irish police referred itself in relation to the incident.