Police 'Gripped' Noah Donohoe Search Seriousness at Early Stage, Inquest Told
The inquest into the death of schoolboy Noah Donohoe has heard that police "gripped" the seriousness of the investigation into his disappearance at an early stage. Chief Inspector Robinson provided this testimony at Belfast Coroner's Court, where the proceedings, now in their seventh week, are being heard with a jury.
Compliance Review Identifies Areas of Non-Compliance
Chief Inspector Robinson detailed that he conducted a compliance review in 2020 into how the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) handled the search for the teenager. He identified five areas of non-compliance with PSNI procedures, including issues related to the recording of risk assessments. Despite these findings, he emphasized that the overall police response was robust and timely.
Noah Donohoe, a 14-year-old pupil at St Malachy's College, went missing in June 2020 after leaving home on his bike to meet friends in the Cavehill area of Belfast. His naked body was discovered six days later in a storm drain tunnel in north Belfast. A post-mortem examination concluded that the cause of death was drowning.
Police Resources and Investigation Quality
During his evidence, Mr Robinson stated that a large amount of police resources were engaged at a very early stage of the investigation. He referenced a more detailed review carried out by another inspector in August 2020, which found that there had been a "very good response to the investigation." Mr Robinson agreed with this assessment, noting that the seriousness of the case was properly addressed from the outset.
When questioned by counsel for the coroner, Declan Quinn, about whether the identified non-compliance issues affected the speed or quality of the search for Noah, Mr Robinson replied, "I don't believe so." He also expressed that appointing a senior investigating officer earlier would not have provided any additional benefit to the case.
Ongoing Inquest Proceedings
The inquest resumed on Monday morning with further evidence from police witnesses, as it continues to examine the circumstances surrounding Noah Donohoe's tragic death. The case has drawn significant public attention, highlighting concerns about police procedures and community safety in Belfast.
