The mother of schoolboy Noah Donohoe has described the six agonising days between her son's disappearance and the discovery of his body in June 2020 as a 'living nightmare'. Fiona Donohoe spoke emotionally at the long-awaited inquest into her son's death, which finally commenced yesterday at Laganside Courthouse in Belfast.
Emotional Testimony Reveals Mother's Anguish
In her powerful witness statement, Ms Donohoe detailed the harrowing period when her 14-year-old son vanished after leaving home on his bicycle to meet friends on June 21, 2020. 'I was in a state of constant fear and uncertainty, fearing the worst, but not knowing what had happened,' she told the hearing. 'I couldn't sleep, and I was beyond distressed and emotionally vulnerable. It was a living nightmare.'
The distraught mother revealed that she had found Noah crying in his room earlier on the day he disappeared, though when she questioned him, he claimed he was laughing. She described her son as having been 'over-protective' that day, repeatedly hugging her and telling her he loved her.
Critical Questions About Police Response
Ms Donohoe expressed serious concerns about whether her son's life could have been saved if different actions had been taken during the search operation. 'I have so many concerns about what occurred during the period Noah was missing,' she stated. 'Including whether all necessary steps were taken promptly, whether lines of inquiry were closed off. And worst of all, whether Noah could have been saved if the right steps had been taken.'
She was particularly critical of a PSNI theory suggesting Noah had suffered a concussion from a head injury during his disappearance. The mother told the court she believed a 'blind eye' had been turned to evidence and that she remains 'desperate' to understand what happened to her son.
Chilling CCTV Evidence Presented
Peter Coll KC, counsel for the coroner, delivered his opening statement to the jury, revealing they would view CCTV footage showing Noah cycling in north Belfast without any clothing on the evening he vanished. 'This was entirely out of character for Noah,' Ms Donohoe emphasised. 'I've no explanation for this behaviour, and desperately need some answers or some sort of explanation.'
The court heard that the bars on the storm drain where Noah's body was eventually discovered on June 27 were sufficiently spaced to allow someone to pass through. The jury was played the recording of the 999 call Ms Donohoe made to police at approximately 9.45pm on June 21, reporting her son missing after he failed to return home at the agreed time.
A Mother's Desperate Search
Ms Donohoe recounted how her instincts told her 'something wasn't right' when Noah didn't answer his mobile phone. A friend drove her to Cavehill to search for her son, but they found no trace of him. During the 999 call, she informed police that Noah had 'not been himself' and that she was deeply concerned for his safety, noting he had never gone missing before.
Visibly upset, Ms Donohoe left the courtroom as the recording of her emergency call was played. She revealed that Noah had been carrying the book '12 Rules For Life' by author Jordan Peterson and 'hadn't taken it out of his hands' in the days before his disappearance.
Legacy of a 'Beautiful Soul'
Ms Donohoe described her son as a 'beautiful, happy and much-loved soul' whose memory she fears could be tainted by speculation. 'I am tormented with the thought that any part of his legacy could be tainted by rumour and suspicion about who he was or what happened to him,' she told the inquest.
The hearing follows significant public attention to the case, including candlelit vigils in North Belfast and widespread community concern. Ms Donohoe concluded her testimony by expressing hope that the inquest would finally provide answers about her son's tragic death. The proceedings continue as more evidence is examined.
