Jury sent out to consider findings in Noah Donohoe inquest

30 Jun 2026 • 5:54 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

Jury sent out to consider findings in Noah Donohoe inquest

The jury in the inquest into the death of Belfast schoolboy Noah Donohoe has been sent out to consider its findings.

The 14-year-old was found naked in a storm drain in the city in June 2020 after being missing for six days.

The jury of eight men and two women has been tasked with unanimously agreeing responses to 10 questions, including the date of Noah’s death and whether any errors made by police contributed to his death.

It comes after almost six months of evidence at Belfast Coroner’s Court involving 76 witnesses, statements from a further 42 people, maps, video footage, photographs, police logs and expert reports.

Noah Donohoe died aged just 14 (family handout/PA) (PA Media)

Noah, a pupil at St Malachy’s College, was found in the storm drain tunnel in north Belfast six days after he left home on his bike to meet two friends in the Cavehill area of the city.

CCTV evidence and witnesses show Noah took a detour from his planned route, cycling instead along York Road and ending up on Northwood Road where it is suggested he entered the tunnel via a culvert behind a house.

The inquest was shown CCTV of Noah cycling naked along Northwood Road, and evidence that some residents heard noises including screams on the night of June 21 when he went missing.

Noah’s mother Fiona Donohoe, centre, has attended the inquest (PA) (PA Wire)

A post-mortem examination found the cause of death was drowning.

The jury is charged with reaching findings including how Noah came by his death.

Coroner Mr Justice Rooney took two days to read his charge to the jury which numbered more than 70,000 words.

He told the jury it “must decide the case solely on the evidence you have seen and heard in this court, rather than guesswork or any rumours you may have heard”.

He added jurors are “under no pressure of time”, “you must take as long as you need to discuss the issue”.

Read More

Dwayne Johnson and Catherine Laga’aia surprise 10-year-old Moana fan at hospital

Noah Donohoe inquest jury to decide whether police actions contributed to death

Harry working to try to bring Archie and Lilibet to UK amid security concerns

Newswav Malaysia Best News App

Newswav is an online content aggregator and obtains its content from different online sources. The content in the app do not belong to Newswav nor do they reflect the opinions of Newswav and its staff. Your use of this app indicates your understanding and acceptance of this information.

Newswav Sdn. Bhd. (201701008480 (1222645-M)) 2026 All Rights Reserved