The ongoing inquest into the tragic death of Belfast schoolboy Noah Donohoe has heard poignant and emotional testimony from his mother, Fiona Donohoe, who described her son's unusual behaviour and visible distress in the hours before he vanished. The 14-year-old was found deceased in a storm drain in north Belfast in June 2020, following a six-day search after he went missing while cycling to meet friends.
Mother's Emotional Testimony Reveals Disturbing Details
In a heart-wrenching account presented to the jury, Fiona Donohoe revealed that her son had been crying in his bedroom shortly before his disappearance, behaviour she described as completely uncharacteristic. "I asked him why he was crying. He turned to me and said he was laughing," she told police in a recorded call, expressing deep concern about his safety and state of mind.
Unprecedented Behaviour Before Disappearance
Ms Donohoe emphasised that Noah had never gone missing before and had been acting unusually affectionate in the days leading up to June 21, 2020. She described him as being "overprotective," giving her frequent hugs and repeatedly telling her he loved her before leaving their south Belfast home. "He has acted so out of character this week," she stated. "He has been so up and down, his moods have been so out of character."
The concerned mother told officers that Noah's disappearance on that Sunday evening was profoundly unusual, noting that he was never out late and that his failure to return home was entirely inconsistent with his normal behaviour. "He is never out this late, it is so unlike him," she repeatedly emphasised during her call to police.
Inquest Proceedings and Investigative Details
The inquest, which has experienced multiple delays since Noah's death, is now proceeding and is expected to continue until late March. Counsel for the coroner, Peter Coll KC, informed jurors that they would hear extensive evidence about the circumstances surrounding the teenager's death, including CCTV footage that shows Noah cycling in north Belfast without clothing on the evening he disappeared.
Post-mortem evidence has previously concluded that Noah died from drowning. The investigation has included assessments of light levels inside the storm drain where his body was discovered on June 27, 2020, following an extensive police search operation.
Controversial Aspects and Legal Warnings
The case has been marked by controversy after the Police Service of Northern Ireland was granted Public Interest Immunity certificates, meaning certain sensitive material will not be disclosed publicly during the proceedings. This decision was justified on grounds that releasing specific information could pose "a real risk of serious harm to the public interest."
The coroner has issued stern warnings to the public about speculating on social media regarding the case, noting that such actions could have "potentially serious consequences" and might prejudice the ongoing inquest. Last year, the coroner released CCTV images showing Noah's movements on the day he disappeared, including footage from Northwood Drive where he was last seen alive.
The jury continues to hear evidence as they work to establish the factual circumstances surrounding this tragic case that has deeply affected the Belfast community and raised significant questions about the events leading to the teenager's death in the storm drain system.
