Ivana Bacik demands full probe into Henry Street death
Ivana Bacik expressed deepest sympathies to the family of Yves Sakila and called for a full, independent investigation after an incident on Henry Street last Friday that led to his death and the injury of another man. She raised concern about disturbing video footage and echoed calls from the Irish Network Against Racism for answers and accountability.
Condolences and community impact
Ivana Bacik offered condolences to the family and friends of Yves Sakila and to the Congolese community in Dublin. She noted reports that Mr Sakila was an IT professional who had lived in Ireland for about 20 years and underlined the sorrow felt across the city.
Footage and questions over force
Bacik said she had viewed circulating video footage of the minutes leading up to Mr Sakila's death, describing it as very distressing. She echoed the Irish Network Against Racism in saying there are serious concerns that excessive force may have been used.
Calls for a full, independent inquiry
Ivana Bacik supported calls for a thorough investigation of all the circumstances surrounding the incident, including the post-mortem that will inform the Garda inquiry. She highlighted that the matter has been referred to the Independent Office of the Police Ombudsman and notified as required under the Police and Security and Community Safety Act 2024.
Process and transparency
Bacik emphasised the need for an independent and transparent process, noting the Ombudsman's operational independence and the importance of not prejudicing investigations. She warned that the manner of the death has caused huge concern across society and must be examined fully.
We publish thousands of recordings to make Irish politics transparent and resistant to manipulation. Spotted an error? Report it — together we are building a reliable archive of Irish politics.
Mr. Margaret and Taoiseach, I want to express my deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Yves Sakila and to express my concern at the incident last Friday evening on Henry Street in Dublin City Centre which resulted in his death and indeed also the injury of an older man. I want to express also condolences to the Congolese community here and indeed it's been reported that Mr. Sakila was an IT professional originally from Congo who'd been living in Ireland for some 20 years. A video has been circulating of the minutes leading up to Mr. Sakila's death. I've viewed this and for anyone who has viewed it, it contains very distressing and disturbing footage and I echo the words of the Irish Network Against Racism in saying they're very concerned that excessive force may have been used against Mr. Sakila and indeed that appears to be evident from the video. I do also support calls by INAR for a thorough investigation of all the circumstances leading to the death of Mr. Sakila and indeed Deputy Marie Sherlock, our local TD in the area, has also issued that call and indeed has attended today at the vigil in Mr. Sakila's memory on Henry Street. Taoiseach, we need to ensure all the circumstances of this incident are thoroughly examined. I've spoken about this earlier, again my sympathies go to the family of Eve Sakila and I think it is an issue of the deepest concern and does need to be thoroughly and fully investigated and obviously there will be a post-mortem establishing the cause of death which will inform the Garda investigation. It fits through the Independent Office of the Police Ombudsman. It was notified as required under the Police and Security and Community Safety Act 2024. It's fully independent in terms of its investigative and operational functions and there are very, very serious concerns. I don't want to prejudice any subsequent investigation and other than to say that everybody is deeply saddened that a person has lost his life in such circumstances and also that the manner in which that has occurred has caused huge concern across society.
Thank you for downloading 🙏
If you publish this material on social media, we would be very grateful if you tagged VideoParliament. It helps us reach more people and keep building a transparent archive of Irish politics.
