Ivana Bacik

Overall sentiment: -0.27
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I express my deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Yves Sakila and express my concern at the incident last Friday evening on Henry Street in Dublin city centre that resulted in his death and the injury of an older man. I also express condolences to the Congolese community here. It has been reported that Mr. Sakila was an IT professional originally from Congo who had been living in Ireland for some 20 years. A video has been circulating of the minutes leading up to Mr. Sakila's death. I viewed this and for anyone who has viewed it, it contains very distressing and disturbing footage. I echo the words of the Irish Network Against Racism, INAR, which said it was very concerned that excessive force may have been used against Mr. Sakila, and indeed that appears to be evident from the video. I also support calls by INAR for a thorough investigation of all the circumstances leading to the death of Mr. Sakila. Deputy Marie Sherlock, our local TD in the area, has also issued that call and attended today the vigil in Mr. Sakila's memory on Henry Street. We need to ensure all the circumstances of this incident are thoroughly examined.

Sentiment score: -0.27