Heated exchanges at Yves Sakila inquest in Dublin
Yves Sakila, a 34-year-old Congolese man, was held on the ground by security guards and then handcuffed by gardaí in Dublin on 15 May 2026, before being taken to Mater Hospital where he was pronounced dead. The cause of death was listed as cardiorespiratory arrest following prone restraint, with schizophrenia as a contributory factor. At an inquest on 22 October 2026, heated exchanges occurred between coroner Dr Myra Cullinane and the stepmother's solicitor over the involvement of Store Street Garda station officers in overseeing the investigation. The coroner granted a six-month adjournment, with the case next due to be mentioned on 21 April 2027, while separate investigations by An Garda Síochána and Fíosrú remain ongoing.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court22 Oct
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Sakila was held on the ground by a group of security guards before gardaí arrived, then handcuffed by gardaí who removed the cuffs when they realised he was unwell and began performing CPR.
- Sakila was taken to Mater Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
- Cause
- The cause of death was listed as cardiorespiratory arrest following a period of prone restraint, with schizophrenia as a contributory factor.
- When
- The incident occurred on 15 May 2026.
- Where
- The incident and inquest took place in Dublin.
- Investigation
- The State Pathologist Dr SallyAnne Collis carried out a postmortem on Sakila on 16 May 2026.
- Separate investigations by An Garda Síochána and Fíosrú are ongoing, with officers from Store Street Garda station involved in helping to oversee the investigation.
- In court
- At the inquest on 22 October 2026, solicitor John Gerard Cullen, representing stepmother Angel Issemezey Anzibi, questioned the involvement of Store Street Garda station officers, leading to heated exchanges with coroner Dr Myra Cullinane.
- Coroner Dr Myra Cullinane granted a six-month adjournment, with the case next due to be mentioned on 21 April 2027.
- Other details
- Sakila's stepmother Angel Issemezey Anzibi moved from Congo to Ireland in 2004 via the family reunification programme.
- Sakila's biological mother Janet Sakila is alive and still living in Congo.
12 statements extracted from the articles
- whatSakila was held on the ground by a group of security guards before gardaí arrived. (irishtimes.com)
- whatGardaí handcuffed Sakila but removed the handcuffs when they realised he was unwell and began performing CPR. (irishtimes.com)
- whatSakila was taken to Mater Hospital where he was pronounced dead. (irishtimes.com)
- causeThe cause of death was listed as cardiorespiratory arrest following a period of prone restraint. (irishtimes.com)
- causeSchizophrenia was listed as a contributory factor in his death. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe State Pathologist Dr SallyAnne Collis carried out a postmortem on Sakila on 16 May 2026. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationSeparate investigations by An Garda Síochána and Fíosrú are ongoing. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí from Store Street Garda station were involved in helping to oversee the investigation. (irishtimes.com)
- courtCoroner Dr Myra Cullinane granted a six-month adjournment to the inquest. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe case is next due to be mentioned on 21 April 2027. (irishtimes.com)
- otherAngel Issemezey Anzibi, Sakila's stepmother, moved from Congo to Ireland in 2004 via the family reunification programme. (irishtimes.com)
- otherSakila's biological mother Janet Sakila is alive and still living in Congo. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 22 Oct2026Heated exchanges at Yves Sakila inquest after solicitor questions Garda investigation
First detailed reporting of the Sakila inquest, including the cause of death (cardiorespiratory arrest following prone restraint), the heated exchange between the coroner and the stepmother's solicitor, and the six-month adjournment.
victim, Yves Sakila, 34, male, Congolese, non-irishYves Sakilavictim, Angel Issemezey Anzibi, female, Congolese, non-irishAngel Issemezey Anzibivictim, Janet Sakila, female, Congolese, non-irishJanet Sakila