Inquest Opens into Mysterious Death of Belfast Schoolboy Noah Donohoe
Six years after the tragic disappearance and death of Noah Donohoe, a formal inquest has commenced in Belfast, aiming to unravel the mysterious circumstances surrounding the 14-year-old schoolboy's untimely demise. The case, which has captivated and confounded Northern Ireland since June 2020, seeks to provide long-awaited answers to his grieving family and the public.
A Mother's Heartbreaking Testimony
In a poignant video interview played at Belfast Coroner's Court, Fiona Donohoe, Noah's mother, recounted the harrowing moments when she realised her son was missing. She described becoming increasingly fearful when Noah failed to answer his mobile phone, stating, "My instinct told me something wasn't right. I was concerned that Noah had been a bit down and more emotional than usual." She revealed that before he left home, she had found him crying in his room, though when questioned, he claimed he was laughing.
The period between Noah's disappearance and the discovery of his body was characterised by his mother as a "living nightmare." Visibly distressed in court, she listened as her emergency call from the day he went missing was played. Fiona Donohoe paid a moving tribute to her son's "lust for life and learning" and spoke of their "beautiful, magical bond."
The Fateful Day and Baffling Journey
Noah Donohoe left his south Belfast home on his bicycle at 5.41pm on 21 June 2020, reportedly to meet friends. He carried a khaki rucksack containing a Lenovo laptop and a copy of Jordan Peterson's book, 12 Rules for Life. When he did not return, his mother reported him missing at 9.44pm that evening.
Subsequent investigations revealed a perplexing sequence of events. CCTV footage showed Noah cycling through Belfast city centre before falling off his bicycle on the Shore Road. He then entered a Protestant enclave in north Belfast, approximately three miles from his home, an area he was not known to frequent. In an even more inexplicable turn, during this journey, he discarded his rucksack, telephone, and clothing, proceeding to cycle naked.
Police later discovered his body in a secluded storm drain in the Northwood Road area. Peter Coll KC, counsel for the coroner, informed the jury that evidence would indicate the bars on the storm drain were sufficiently spaced for Noah to pass through. A postmortem examination concluded that his death resulted from drowning, with police stating there appeared to be no foul play involved.
Judicial Guidance and Public Appeals
Mr Justice Rooney addressed the jury of two women and nine men, urging them to maintain an open mind, base their findings solely on courtroom evidence, and disregard the extensive publicity and conspiracy theories that have surrounded the case. Last week, he issued a warning to the public to refrain from any social media activity that could potentially prejudice the inquest, which is anticipated to continue until late March.
Noah's disappearance in the summer of 2020 prompted a massive community response, with hundreds of volunteers taking to the streets to aid in the search efforts. His mother has campaigned persistently for an inquest, asserting that the actions attributed to her son were entirely out of character. St Malachy's College, where Noah was a pupil, remembered him as an industrious student who played the cello.
Unanswered Questions and Ongoing Investigation
In October of last year, the coroner released previously unseen CCTV footage in a public appeal for information. The footage captured Noah leaving his Fitzroy Avenue home at approximately 3.34am on the day he disappeared, wearing flip-flops, a T-shirt, and shorts, and carrying headphones. He returned at 4.08am barefoot and without the headphones. The coroner has appealed for details regarding where Noah went during that early morning, whether he encountered anyone, the whereabouts of his flip-flops and headphones, and if he had undertaken similar excursions previously.
In her witness statement, Fiona Donohoe expressed her lack of explanation for Noah's behaviour on that fateful day, stating, "I'm holding out hope that this inquest is able to provide me with answers." As the proceedings unfold, the community and the family await clarity on a tragedy that has remained shrouded in mystery for years.
