Jurors at a Belfast inquest have been presented with harrowing CCTV footage documenting the final movements of schoolboy Noah Donohoe before his tragic death. The 14-year-old was discovered deceased in a storm drain in north Belfast in June 2020, six days after he vanished while cycling to meet friends in the Cavehill area.
Inquest Examines Circumstances of Disappearance
The ongoing inquest is thoroughly investigating the circumstances surrounding Noah's disappearance and subsequent death. This afternoon, the court was shown approximately nine minutes of non-continuous footage capturing the teenager's last known journey through the city.
Final Journey Captured on Camera
The footage begins with Noah leaving his apartment building on Fitzroy Avenue, equipped with his bicycle, wearing a cycling helmet and carrying a backpack. Through a series of clips, he is observed cycling through Belfast city centre before heading towards the northern districts.
In the most distressing segment of the footage, shown just before his disappearance, Noah is seen riding his bicycle completely naked. This pivotal evidence forms a crucial part of the inquest's examination into the events leading to his death.
Witness Testimony from Motorist
The jury also heard compelling evidence from motorist Donna Blain, who contacted police during the search period and provided a formal statement ten months after Noah's death. Ms Blain testified that she was driving from Shore Road onto North Queen Street when she witnessed Noah, who appeared to have fallen from his bicycle and was lifting it back from the ground.
"She stated she did not know what caused the fall," the inquest heard. The witness described Noah looking around as if embarrassed before cycling away, leaving his coat behind on the ground. Ms Blain emphasised that she observed nothing suggesting Noah had sustained any injuries during the incident.
Friend's Emotional Tribute
Belfast Coroner's Court also heard poignant testimony from Charlie Rocks, who described himself as Noah's closest friend. Mr Rocks, who attended St Malachy's College with Noah, offered a heartfelt tribute to his character.
"He was the nicest, friendliest person, funniest person," Mr Rocks told the hearing. Addressing concerns about mental health, he stated Noah "never appeared to be down or depressed" and was "the smartest kid, he was always asking questions."
Social Dynamics and Personal Interests
Mr Rocks elaborated on Noah's social nature, noting "Noah was friendly with everyone in school. I joked with him that he knew everyone in school. He wasn't the type of person to be in the popular friend group, but he knew everyone."
Regarding potential interests that might explain his presence in storm drains, Mr Rocks was clear: "He never mentioned to me anything about storm drains or going underground or being in tunnels. If he had have been interested in these things, he would have talked about them."
Lockdown Period and Personal Development
The inquest was shown a series of social media messages exchanged between Noah, Charlie Rocks, and another friend, Jay Tierney. Mr Rocks testified that he believed Noah had become "more open" about his mental health during the Covid lockdown period.
"He was starting to grow up and think more about his emotions. He was definitely changing, which was great," Mr Rocks stated. He also revealed that Noah had asked if he wanted to read Jordan Peterson's self-help book 12 Rules for Life, though Mr Rocks declined.
Questioning and Clarifications
Under questioning from barrister for the PSNI Donal Lunny, Mr Rocks confirmed he had been unaware that Noah occasionally stayed overnight alone in his Belfast apartment. When asked by barrister for Fiona Donohoe, Brenda Campbell KC, if Noah had ever struggled with his sexuality, Mr Rocks responded: "He was straight from what I knew."
The court viewed messages where both teenagers discussed liking the same girl. Mr Rocks explained: "I was just a teenager and so was he. It was important for me with him that I made it clear that it was him first for me."
Inquest Timeline and Proceedings
Noah's inquest, originally scheduled for November 2025 before a jury, was postponed after concerns were raised about completing evidence before Christmas. Official proceedings commenced last Thursday, beginning with Fiona Donohoe's initial 999 call and a pre-recorded statement.
The coroner informed the jury that the inquest is expected to continue until the end of March, as they systematically examine all evidence surrounding this tragic case. The proceedings remain ongoing as the search for answers continues.
