United Kingdom NOAH DONOHOE: Missing from Belfast, Ireland - 21 June 2020 - Age 14 *Found Deceased*

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Police say missing Noah Donohoe (14) may have head injury after abandoning clothing

It's believed missing Belfast schoolboy Noah Donohoe may have a head injury after falling off his bike and abandoning his clothing, police have said in an urgent appeal.

The 14-year-old left his home in south Belfast on Sunday at around 5.30pm and there have been increasing concerns for his welfare.

Noah left his home on his black Apollo mountain bike wearing a black skateboarding helmet, khaki green North Face jacket, grey sweat shorts with an emblem on one leg, a tie-die blue hoody, Nike trainers with a bright yellow ‘tick’ and carrying a khaki rucksack.

He was seen on Ormeau Avenue at 5.45pm and on Royal Avenue heading towards York Street a short time after.

Noah was then seen on North Queen Street heading towards the Limestone Road at 5.57pm.

Chief Inspector Gavin Kirkpatrick said: "An eyewitness believes they saw a young male matching Noah’s description fall off his bicycle on Sunday evening, possibly sustaining a head injury, in the vicinity of North Queen Street/York Street, but we do not know the specific time.

We believe Noah got back on his bicycle, cycling into Northwood Road where he then abandons all his clothing, as he is seen a short time later cycling while naked. We believe Noah then dropped his bicycle and left the area on foot.

“There have been no further confirmed sightings of Noah since 6.08pm on Sunday."


Media - NOAH DONOHOE: Missing from Belfast, Ireland since 21 June 2020 - Age 14
 
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Noah Donohoe inquest set to begin later this year and could run for six weeks​

An inquest into the death of Belfast schoolboy Noah Donohoe is set to commence in September and could last up to six weeks, the coroner’s court has heard.

His mother Fiona Donohoe is hoping to secure answers to some of the questions surrounding the death of her son through the inquest process.

The inquest was originally scheduled to take place last year but was then delayed after a ruling from coroner Joe McCrisken that it should proceed with a jury, following an application from Ms Donohoe.

At a preliminary hearing in the coroner’s court in Belfast on Monday, legal representatives discussed scheduling issues related to the substantive inquest.

Along with Mr McCrisken, they provisionally agreed to a start date of Monday September 16, pending court availability.

The coroner ringfenced the Thursday and Friday of the previous week to provide court time to address any outstanding legal issues ahead of swearing in the jury on the following Monday.

Brenda Campbell KC, representing the Donohoe family, suggested that hearing evidence on four days each week might be more manageable and effective than running the inquest for five full days.

“I’m thinking particularly of Noah’s mother in these circumstances and whether or not she is capable of standing the intensity of a five day week,” she said.

“But also in terms of management of witnesses and preparation for witnesses – this is going to be a fairly intensive process.”

Coroner McCrisken said he had no issue with that approach, adding that he had found a four day week useful in previous inquests.

He said he would plan for the inquest to run for up to six weeks.

Issues around the disclosure of documents in the case remain outstanding, with Noah’s family having made several requests for material from the police.

The coroner is to hold a half day hearing on March 5 to hear submissions related to the disclosure issues.
 

Concert in memory of Noah Donohoe to raise money for NI Children's Hospice​

A concert originally to be held in aid of the investigation into the death of Noah Donohoe will now raise money for NI Children's Hospice.

'Concert 4 Noah' is set to take place on May 24, 2024 at Custom House Square in the city centre, with several big names already signed.

The organisers have now been informed that the intended destination for the receipt of profit funds for the event, 'The Noah Donohoe Independent Investigation' are no longer in need of public funds.

Respecting the wishes and having had discussions with Noah’s family, the concert will still go ahead but will give the proceeds to the ‘NI Children’s Hospice’ charity instead.
 

Coroner recuses himself from Noah Donohoe inquest​

A senior coroner has recused himself from the inquest into the death of Noah Donohoe.

Joe McCrisken had been in charge of the pre-inquest proceedings over the past number of years.

In a statement to BBC News NI, the Lady Chief Justice's Office has confirmed that he "will not be hearing this inquest".

In a social media post, a law firm representing the teenager’s family said: "On behalf of Fiona Donohoe [Noah Donohoe's mother], we confirm that the senior coroner will no longer preside over Noah’s inquest proceedings."

The message added that "arrangements are being made for the inquest and all future pre-inquest hearings to be heard before a new coroner".

The Lady Chief Justice's Office said the inquest would be listed before another coroner with details being confirmed in due course.

The statement added: "To protect the administration of justice and to guard against further prejudicial material being published which might impact negatively on the integrity of the jury process, the coroner has ordered that no details of the content and reasoning of the recusal decision be published in any publication of any sort without further order of the court."
 

Court told about hand photo on Noah Donohoe phone​

A photo of a hand may have been taken on Noah Donohoe's mobile phone hours after the teenager went missing, a court has heard.

The 14-year-old was found dead in a storm drain in north Belfast in June 2020.

This was six days after he went missing as he travelled to meet friends.

Brenda Campbell KC, who is representing Noah's mother Fiona, told an inquest review hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice in Belfast that during an examination of material from Noah's phone, an expert had found an image of what "appears to be a palm or a portion of a hand".

She described it as: "A type of photograph that might inadvertently be taken by a telephone that has been picked up or held in a hand."

"The significance of it is that the expert instructs it was taken at 18:50 on the evening of Noah's disappearance," she added.

Ms Campbell said they have asked their expert to "double check" the time, but if it was taken at 18:50, "that raises the prospect that Noah's phone was in someone's hand at that time".

"Based on what we know of Noah's movements and his disappearance about 40 minutes previously in the area of Northwood Crescent, a strong inference would be that it wasn't Noah's hand," Ms Campbell said.

The barrister said she wanted to raise a number of questions for the PSNI around the photograph.

She said: "Did they know about it and for how long have they known about it? And what was done about it?"

"And who was in possession of Noah's phone at that time and on that date?" she continued.

"If the answer is no, they didn't know about it, then why not?

"It is of such importance that we bring it directly to the attention of the court and we ask for urgent responses in relation to it."

Barrister Donal Lunny KC, who is representing the PSNI, said: "I have had very limited time in which to attempt to seek instructions.

"I obviously will and we will communicate with the next-of-kin and the coroner's service about that issue," he added.

The court was told a provisional date for a full inquest had been set for 3 February 2025.

The coroner, Mr Justice Rooney, said he would review the case again on 14 November.
 

Stormont department will not be prosecuted over Noah Donohoe death, court told​

A final decision not to prosecute a Stormont department for corporate manslaughter over the death of schoolboy Noah Donohoe has been taken, a court has heard.

Noah, 14, was found dead in a storm drain owned by the Department of Infrastructure (DFI) in north Belfast in 2020, six days after he went missing.

His mother Fiona Donohoe is hoping to secure answers to some of the questions surrounding the death of her son through the inquest process.

Ms Donohoe was at the Royal Courts of Justice in Belfast on Thursday for the latest preliminary hearing in the long-running case.

The full inquest is expected to take place next year.
 

AI to be used in Noah Donohoe death inquest​

Artificial intelligence (AI) is to be used as part of the inquest process into the death of the Belfast schoolboy Noah Donohoe.

A preliminary hearing was told on Tuesday that the PSNI has proposed using an AI package to examine CCTV footage recovered from an area beside the 14-year-old's home.

The latest footage is being checked after previous CCTV footage showed the schoolboy outside his home in the early hours of the morning of his disappearance in June 2020.

The young boy lived with his mother in an apartment block in South Belfast and today's hearing was told that she was "surprised" when she learned that he had left their home at that time.

Peter Coll, KC, counsel to the coroner, said a detailed examination of the additional CCTV could help to establish if "it was part of a pattern or a once-off".

Mr Coll also explained that the AI package being proposed by the PSNI can pick out humans and vehicles and it could therefore speed up the process of reviewing days of CCTV footage.

It was noted that Noah Donohoe's family had sought assurances that the AI would not run an "unnecessary risk" of missing out on something of significance in the footage.

The coroner, Mr Justice Rooney, said it seemed to him that the PSNI must consider the process "reliable" and "efficient" if they had used it in previous investigations.

Mr Justice Rooney also enquired if the proposed technology could be used to examine CCTV footage covering up to three weeks before the schoolboy went missing.
 

Noah Donohoe inquest: PSNI deem "small cohort of material" sensitive​

A preliminary hearing into the death of Belfast schoolboy Noah Donohoe was given an update on the process of disclosing evidence held by the police and other agencies.

Counsel for the coroner, Peter Coll KC said on Wednesday that there is a "small cohort of material" that the PSNI deems sensitive.

He said that rather than disclose it directly to the inquest, officers are suggesting they could provide a "gist", summarising what the material relates to. The court was told that the PSNI intends to circulate the "gist" to legal parties by March 7.

The next preliminary hearing is scheduled for Wednesday April 2, and the full inquest is anticipated to be held later this year.
 
When i searched regarding Noah, I came across this report from the BBC dated 28th June 2020 about the post mortem showing his COD as drowning. Not sure if it was posted before.


Belfast teenager Noah Donohoe died as a result of drowning, a post-mortem examination has found.

The 14-year-old went missing on 21 June. His body was found in a storm drain in north Belfast six days later.

He was travelling to Cave Hill country park to meet friends on the day of his disappearance, the Irish News has reported., external

A spokesperson for his family said the "post-mortem raises more questions than answers".

Andree Murphy, from Relatives for Justice, told BBC News NI that the family are asking for anyone with information, particularly CCTV footage that might track his movements, to come forward.

A small, private funeral service was held for the 14-year-old at St Patrick's Church on Donegall Street in Belfast on 1 July.

Mourners lined the streets to pay their respect to the popular St Malachy's College pupil.

'Meeting friends'​

According to the Irish News, Noah was doing work towards his Duke of Edinburgh award on the day he went missing and it is believed he brought his laptop to gain extra credits during his time off school.

A number of items belonging to him - including his black Apollo mountain bike and some clothing - were found during search operations.

Noah's phone and laptop were also recovered by police and the family are keen to have these returned to them, the Irish News said.

They have not yet been told if the PSNI have examined the phone's GPS, the newspaper added.

The family believe the phone's mapping system may have information on the final movements of the teenager.
Noah Donohoe funeral leaves St Malachy's

Image caption,
The disappearance of the grammar school pupil caused a widespread outpouring of grief and sympathy.
Supt Muir Clark said that police "continue to investigate the tragic death of Noah on behalf of the coroner."

He said police were finalising a leaflet appealing for information.

It will be distributed to households where the occupants were unavailable to speak to police during the initial stages when Noah disappeared.

"We are aware of media reports stating that the family had been told this proposed leaflet drop had already been undertaken. This is not the case. This may have arisen through a misunderstanding," he said.

"While respecting that this is a very painful time, police are in contact with Noah's mother to ensure that she is up to date on the investigation," he added.

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Media caption,
Noah playing the guitar on Mother's Day
In his death notice, Noah's family said his "beautiful, pure young soul fills the hearts of his mother Fiona, his aunts Niamh and Shona, their beautiful children and his uncle Gearoid".

In a tribute to those who helped to search for the schoolboy, the message added: "Noah's love was great enough to reach the selfless hearts of north Belfast and beyond as they showed overwhelming compassion and empathy in bringing Noah home. Love has no boundaries."

The Donohoe family say a clip of Noah playing the guitar on Mother's Day is how he should be remembered.

Ms Murphy has again appealed on behalf of the family for anyone with information to come forward.

"We would like to make another appeal to the public, on behalf of the family, please bring forward any information they may have, particularly any CCTV on the evening of Fathers Day," Ms Murphy said.

More on this story​

 
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I found this a little curious:

It will be distributed to households where the occupants were unavailable to speak to police during the initial stages when Noah disappeared.

If they know which houses they are, then why not go talk to them now, why distribute a leaflet...

Also why does his family mistakenly think the leaflets have already been distributed/or did think so...

And there too, if someone has to distribute them, why not just have an officer stop and talk to the occupants...
 
I found this a little curious:

It will be distributed to households where the occupants were unavailable to speak to police during the initial stages when Noah disappeared.

If they know which houses they are, then why not go talk to them now, why distribute a leaflet...

Also why does his family mistakenly think the leaflets have already been distributed/or did think so...

And there too, if someone has to distribute them, why not just have an officer stop and talk to the occupants...
Maybe the occupants didn't speak English is the only thing i can think of, so they gave them leaflets in their particular language.
 

Noah Donohoe: Thousands set to march demanding answers and action over Belfast schoolboy​

Thousands are set to march in Belfast city centre this weekend in love and solidarity with the family of teenager Noah Donohoe.

The 14-year-old schoolboy was found dead in the drain network in north Belfast in June 2020 – six days after he went missing as he cycled to meet up with friends.

Police believe the St Malachy’s College pupil entered the drain in the Northwood Road area, which is a significant distance from where his body was found lower down the drain network near the M2 motorway.

A full inquest into Noah's death is anticipated to be held later this year. Noah’s mother, Fiona Donohoe, is hoping to secure answers to some of the questions surrounding the death of her son through the inquest process.

Organised by Through Her Eyes, with the support of Noah’s Army, Noah’s March - Feet on the Street - will take place this Saturday, April 5 from 2-4:30pm. Supporters will begin gathering at Custom House Square from 1pm, before setting off on a peaceful, accessible route through the city centre at 2pm.

Organisers say this protest will bring together people from across Northern Ireland who are determined to stand up for Noah’s rights and support his mother, Fiona Donohoe, in her fight for truth and justice. The day of action, music, and remembrance will feature speeches from Chelsea Duddy and Joanne Taylor, co-founders of Through Her Eyes, alongside members of Noah’s Army, including Fiona Donohoe.

Music will play a powerful role in the event, with performances from Connal Morrissey – a 17-year-old singer who has been supported by the Noah Donohoe Foundation in pursuing his musical aspirations. Damien Quinn will perform an original song dedicated to Noah.

There will be a powerful display of banners and homemade placards, as participants bring their voices, energy, and musical instruments to honour Noah and demand the justice he deserves. The march will be child and pet-friendly, ensuring that families can take part. The route has also been designed to be as accessible as possible, allowing the majority of people to participate.

Organiser Joanne Taylor said: “We are incredibly proud that Through Her Eyes has been entrusted with organising this march. This is not just for Noah—it’s for his mother and for every family seeking justice.”

“This march is about showing the world that children’s rights are human rights,” added Chelsea Duddy. “No mother should have to grieve her child while being denied the truth about what happened to them.”
 

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