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Elderly Pensioners Terrorised With Knife by Yves Sakila Just Hours Before Fatal Arnott’s Incident
SnD Media Investigates:
In the final hours before his death, Congolese man Yves Sakila was allegedly involved in a series of disturbances on Henry Street, including an incident in which he reportedly threatened two elderly women with a large knife, according to an investigation by SnD Media.
Witnesses and security staff interviewed by SnD Media described Sakila causing disruptions in multiple stores in the busy city centre area during his last 48 hours.
The day before the fatal incident, Sakila is said to have entered Arnott’s department store, where he allegedly knocked over items and created disturbances, prompting complaints and intervention from staff and security.
On the morning of the day he died, at approximately 10am, Sakila entered another well-known retail outlet on Henry Street. According to multiple sources, he exposed a large knife that was strapped to his chest in a threatening manner towards two elderly women. The women, terrified, immediately ran to security for help.
Security staff intervened, confirmed Sakila was in possession of the knife, and ordered him to leave the premises immediately.
This occurred just hours before the alleged shoplifting incident at Arnott’s in which an elderly man in his 80s suffered a fractured hip after being knocked over as Sakila fled.
Sakila, 35, was restrained by security and later died at the Mater Hospital after his condition deteriorated in Garda custody, despite CPR being administered.
Sakila had come to the attention of Gardaí on 50 occasions since 2011.
In 2018, he was convicted of robbery and jailed for over a year. He later served further terms for theft, including three months last year.
In January he was convicted of shoplifting €106 perfume from the same Arnott’s and fined €110.
High-Profile Fallout and Anti-Racism Rhetoric:
The case has become highly politicised, with protests, vigils and claims of racism and excessive force. Crowds gathered outside Leinster House and Henry Street chanting “Justice for Yves,” comparing it to George Floyd.
Solidarity TD Ruth Coppinger framed the death as part of “skyrocketing racism” and called for protests against “racist violence.”
Senator Eileen Flynn addressed crowds, hailing Sakila’s name as one that would “live on.” She claimed without evidence that he was “murdered,” despite an inconclusive postmortem showing no visible injuries or foul play. Flynn said “seven men” had “murdered a black man” and questioned if it would have happened were he white.
Yesterday, around 60 protesters, mostly from the African community, gathered outside Arnott’s chanting “Boycott Arnotts,” with one man urging the crowd not to shop there.
SnD Media’s investigation, which included direct interviews with retail staff and security personnel on Henry Street, highlights earlier unreported incidents involving a knife and disturbances that paint a more complex picture of escalating behaviour in the lead-up to the tragedy.
Gardaí continue to investigate all circumstances, including recovery of CCTV and social media footage. A postmortem reportedly found no obvious visible injuries. Toxicology results are pending.
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