The Irish Network Against Racism, known as INAR, has expressed serious concern that excessive force may have been used against a Congolese man who died following an alleged shoplifting incident in Dublin last week.
The organization has called for a comprehensive investigation into all circumstances surrounding the death of the man, who was in his thirties.
Members of the Congolese community in Ireland have identified him as Yves Sakila, describing him as an IT professional who had lived in Ireland since his teenage years.
Gardaà have confirmed that an investigation is ongoing into the incident, which took place around 5pm last Friday on Henry Street in Dublin city centre.
Police stated they are examining all aspects of the incident and have indicated there are no significant updates at this stage.
They reported being alerted after security staff detained a man in connection with an alleged shoplifting incident at a retail store.
During the incident, a man in his eighties sustained injuries as the suspect attempted to leave the scene.
Gardaà said the detained man later became unresponsive at the location and was transported to the Mater Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
They noted that the results of the post-mortem examination will help guide the direction of their investigation and confirmed the incident has been reported to Fiosrú, the Office of the Police Ombudsman.
INAR has described footage of the incident, which shows the man being held on the ground for nearly five minutes, as deeply disturbing.
The organization says the man can be heard shouting in distress while being detained, but by the end of the video he appears to be motionless.
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