PSNI Officer Denies Losing Noah Donohoe's Clothing as Inquest Resumes
The inquest into the death of Belfast teenager Noah Donohoe resumed on Monday, with a PSNI officer strongly denying suggestions that police lost items of the 14-year-old's clothing after they had been recovered following his disappearance. The proceedings at Belfast Coroner's Court, now in their fourth week with a jury, heard detailed testimony about the handling of evidence in the high-profile case.
Clothing Recovery and Evidence Handling Questioned
Constable Wilson, who was on duty on June 22, 2020 - the day after Noah disappeared - told the court he was sent to Northwood Road in north Belfast following reports that a bike matching the description of Noah's had been found. The officer described seeing a black mountain bike placed against a property wall, along with a blue hooded jumper hanging over railings and a pair of blue Nike trainers on the ground.
"The items of clothing were placed into an evidence bag to protect them from the onset of rain and placed into the boot of the patrol car," Constable Wilson testified. He also noted observing a black skateboard helmet further down the street.
Barrister Raises Concerns About Investigation Standards
Brenda Campbell KC, counsel representing Noah's mother Fiona Donohoe, questioned the officer extensively about his handling of the evidence. She raised significant concerns that the clothing had been placed in bags which were not properly sealed, asking whether the officer had approached the situation as "the first stage in a serious crime investigation."
The constable responded that his primary task at the time was to locate the bike, stating: "No, at the time, I was obviously dealing with a misper (missing person). The items, if they had been soaked in blood or covered in blood, that obviously would have changed circumstances."
Ms Campbell pressed the officer on proper forensic procedures, noting that securing exhibits in a "forensically secure way" would include wearing gloves, inspecting items for blood or damage, and placing them into individual sealed evidence bags. When asked if he had followed these procedures for Noah's items, the officer admitted he had not.
Denial of Lost Clothing Allegations
The barrister drew attention to a police log from the evening that stated all of Noah's items of clothing had been discovered, despite the officer testifying that he and a colleague had only found the hoodie, helmet, and trainers. "One interpretation of this is that you did find all Noah's clothing, but it's just been lost since. Is that what happened?" Ms Campbell asked.
Constable Wilson replied firmly: "No, definitely not." He explained that the items had been placed in forensic bags but were not sealed at the time because he and his colleague had considered the potential need for police dogs to sniff the clothing.
When asked by Donal Lunny KC, counsel for the PSNI, if he would have done anything differently, the officer stated he would not.
Witness Testimony About Noah's Disappearance
Earlier in the proceedings, the inquest heard from witness Connor McConnell, who described seeing a male cycling naked past a window on Northwood Road on June 21, 2020. His initial statement, read to the jury, said: "While at the house, I was sat facing the living room window that looks out onto Northwood Road when I saw a male cycle past the window naked. I initially thought that this was a prank."
McConnell said he had gone outside and seen items of clothing on the street. The court heard that the witness had recently provided a second statement to the proceedings after raising concerns about "inaccuracies" in his first account.
Background of the Case
Noah Donohoe, a pupil at St Malachy's College, was 14 years old when he was found dead in a storm drain in north Belfast in June 2020, six days after leaving home on his bike to meet two friends in the Cavehill area of the city. A post-mortem examination determined the cause of death was drowning.
Noah's mother Fiona Donohoe has attended every day of the inquest proceedings, which resumed on Monday following a week's break. The inquest will continue on Tuesday with further testimony expected.
