The long-awaited inquest into the tragic death of Belfast schoolboy Noah Donohoe has commenced with deeply emotional testimony, including the playing of his mother's original emergency call to police on the evening he vanished in 2020. The proceedings at Belfast Coroner's Court heard how the 14-year-old's disappearance was described as "completely out of character" by legal counsel, setting the tone for what promises to be a thorough examination of the circumstances surrounding this high-profile case.
Mother's Emotional Police Call Reveals Disturbing Details
A recording of Fiona Donohoe's call to police on June 21, 2020 was played to the newly-selected jury, revealing heartbreaking details about her son's behaviour in the days leading up to his disappearance. In the emotional recording, Ms Donohoe explained to officers that Noah had been "not been himself" and that she held genuine concerns for his safety.
The distressed mother recounted finding her son crying in his room earlier that day, describing how when she asked about his tears, he turned to her and claimed he was actually laughing. This contradictory behaviour formed part of a pattern of unusual conduct that had developed throughout that week, according to her testimony.
Uncharacteristic Behaviour Patterns
Ms Donohoe detailed several aspects of Noah's behaviour that concerned her, noting that her son had never previously gone missing. She described him as having been "overprotective" in the days before his disappearance, frequently giving her hugs and repeatedly telling her he loved her.
"He has acted so out of character this week," she told police in the recorded call. "He has been so up and down, his moods have been so out of character." These revelations provided the jury with crucial context about the teenager's state of mind in the period immediately preceding his disappearance.
Court Proceedings and Jury Selection
The inquest's fourth day saw the selection of a jury comprising nine men and two women, who were immediately cautioned about maintaining impartiality throughout the proceedings. Presiding coroner Mr Justice Rooney emphasised to jurors that while they may have encountered previous media coverage of the case, it remained "absolutely imperative" that they approach the evidence without predetermined conclusions.
The coroner instructed the jury that their findings must be based solely on evidence presented in court, explicitly directing them to disregard external publicity surrounding the proceedings. He indicated that the inquest would likely continue until late March, suggesting the complexity and thoroughness of the investigation to come.
Legal Opening Statements
Counsel for the coroner, Peter Coll KC, delivered his opening statement to the newly-selected jury, outlining the scope of evidence they would encounter during the proceedings. He revealed that jurors would view CCTV footage showing Noah cycling in north Belfast on the evening of his disappearance, notably without wearing any clothes.
Mr Coll further informed the court that evidence would be presented regarding the storm drain where Noah was ultimately found, including details about the spacing between bars that suggested the teenager could have passed through them. The barrister reinforced the earlier characterisation of Noah's disappearance as "completely out of character," establishing this as a central theme of the investigation.
Family Presence and Emotional Moments
Fiona Donohoe, who has led a prominent campaign for answers regarding her son's death, attended every court sitting during the week alongside family members. The emotional toll of the proceedings became particularly evident when Ms Donohoe temporarily left the courtroom as the recording of her police call was played, though she later returned to continue observing the proceedings.
A poignant moment occurred when the court viewed a montage of photographs showing Noah at various stages of his life, providing jurors with visual context about the schoolboy whose death they are tasked with investigating. This visual presentation served as a stark reminder of the human tragedy at the heart of the legal proceedings.
Investigation Parameters and Expectations
Mr Coll explained to jurors that they would "hear, see and read much more evidence about the circumstances of Noah's death" as the inquest progresses. He emphasised their crucial role in determining the factual circumstances surrounding the teenager's demise, highlighting the responsibility placed upon them to reach evidence-based conclusions.
The barrister's comments underscored the comprehensive nature of the investigation, suggesting that multiple forms of evidence would be examined before the jury reaches its final determinations about how Noah Donohoe came to be found dead in a north Belfast storm drain in June 2020, following an extensive search operation that captured public attention across Northern Ireland and beyond.
