The long-awaited inquest into the tragic death of Belfast schoolboy Noah Donohoe has finally commenced at Laganside Courthouse, with emotional testimony from his mother Fiona Donohoe describing the six-day search for her missing son as a "living nightmare." The proceedings, which began on Thursday with jury selection, mark a significant moment in a case that has captured public attention across Northern Ireland for nearly six years.
Mother's Heartbreaking Testimony
In a pre-recorded witness statement played to Belfast Coroner's Court, Fiona Donohoe provided a harrowing account of the events surrounding her 14-year-old son's disappearance and subsequent death in June 2020. She described the period between Noah going missing on June 21st and the discovery of his body in a north Belfast storm drain on June 27th as a time of "constant fear and uncertainty" that left her emotionally vulnerable and unable to sleep.
"I can't overstate how terrible the period between Noah going missing and his body being recovered was for me," Ms Donohoe stated in her testimony. "I was in a state of constant fear and uncertainty, fearing the worst, but not knowing what had happened. It was a living nightmare."
Critical Questions About Police Response
The grieving mother expressed serious concerns about the Police Service of Northern Ireland's investigation into her son's disappearance, questioning whether "all necessary steps were taken promptly" and whether "lines of inquiry were closed off." She voiced her deepest fear that Noah might have been saved if different actions had been taken during the search operation.
"I have so many concerns about what occurred during the period Noah was missing," she told the inquest. "And worst of all, whether Noah could have been saved if the right steps had been taken."
Ms Donohoe was particularly critical of the PSNI theory that Noah had suffered a concussion from a head injury, stating she felt "a blind eye has been turned to the evidence that conflicted with the police theory about what happened to Noah."
Bizarre Circumstances Revealed
The court heard disturbing details about Noah's final movements, including CCTV footage showing the schoolboy cycling in north Belfast without clothes on the evening he disappeared. Counsel for the coroner, Peter Coll KC, informed the jury they would see evidence that the bars on the storm drain where Noah's body was found were sufficiently spaced for him to pass through.
"On CCTV footage, he is seen without his bag, then without his coat, and subsequently completely naked," Ms Donohoe recounted in her statement. "This was entirely out of character for Noah. I've no explanation for this behaviour, and desperately need some answers or some sort of explanation."
Emotional Courtroom Moments
The proceedings included several emotionally charged moments, including the playing of the 999 call Ms Donohoe made to police on the evening her son went missing. Supported by family members, she left the courtroom for a break as the emergency call was played, visibly distressed by the recording.
In the call, Ms Donohoe told police that Noah had "not been himself" and expressed concern for his safety. She revealed she had found him crying in his room earlier that day, though when she asked why he was upset, he claimed to be laughing. She also noted unusual behaviour in the days leading up to his disappearance, describing him as "overprotective" with frequent hugs and declarations of love.
Inquest Proceedings Commence
Presiding coroner Mr Justice Rooney opened the proceedings by outlining the case to the eleven-member jury (nine men and two women), emphasising the importance of approaching the evidence without predetermined views despite previous media coverage. The coroner indicated the inquest would likely continue until late March, with the jury tasked with determining the facts surrounding Noah's death.
Mr Coll explained the scope of the proceedings to jurors, stating: "You will hear, see and read much more evidence about the circumstances of Noah's death." He emphasised the jury's crucial role in establishing how the schoolboy died, describing Noah's disappearance as "completely out of character."
A Mother's Quest for Answers
Throughout her testimony, Ms Donohoe emphasised her determination to uncover the truth about what happened to her son, stating she had "a duty to Noah to find out what happened to him and how he died, and understand whether his death could have been prevented."
She described Noah as a "beautiful, happy and much-loved soul" with a "genuine, fun-loving, kind and inquisitive nature" whose bright future was tragically cut short. "I am holding out hope that this inquest is able to provide me with answers as to what happened to Noah," she told the court.
The emotional testimony concluded with Ms Donohoe expressing her torment that "any part of his legacy could be tainted by rumour and suspicion about who he was or what happened to him," insisting that Noah's true character and promising future should remain at the heart of the proceedings.
