Tomás Ó Flatharta

On May 19 2026 Ebun A Joseph posted this important message on her facebook page

Yves Sakila is dead. A man lost his life on the streets of Dublin over an alleged case of shoplifting. Let that sink in.

What makes this even more disturbing is that, had the 4:44 minutes footage not emerged, many people would likely have accepted a simplified version of events without questioning what actually happened. The video raises deeply troubling questions: multiple men restraining one individual, excessive force being used, knees pressed onto his body, hands pulled back. It is impossible to watch without feeling shock and real distress.

No one should die over an unproven allegation of shoplifting. What were they thinking? Are people losing their humanity? 🤐

A life has been lost over something allegedly taken from a shop — something replaceable. Yves Sakila is not replaceable. He was a human being.

There is also a wider and painful reality that many Black people recognise too well: the disproportionate suspicion, surveillance, and criminalisation of Black bodies in public spaces, including shopping centres and retail environments. These experiences cannot be separated from the public concern and grief surrounding this case.

This cannot become another social media moment that fades away without accountability or answers. There must be a thorough, transparent, and independent investigation into all the circumstances surrounding Yves Sakila’s death.

A man is dead. His family deserves answers. The public deserves accountability. And communities deserve reassurance that justice applies equally to everyone.

Protests are mushrooming :