An inquest into the death of Noah Donohoe has heard that it is “most likely” the 14-year-old entered a water tunnel through the bars of a culvert entrance close to where he was last seen. The hearing at Belfast Coroner’s Court on Friday received evidence from engineering experts as the inquest concluded its 12th week.
Engineering evidence presented
Civil engineer Brian Pope and risk assessment expert Dr Mark Cooper were questioned by counsel for the coroner, Peter Coll KC, about the culvert entrance near homes on Premier Drive and Northwood Road in north Belfast. This culvert leads to the tunnel network where Noah’s body was discovered.
Mr Coll noted that the experts had jointly concluded Noah was most likely to have entered the culvert through the grille in Northwood Linear Park. Mr Pope told the jury: “I felt that it was most likely that access was gained between the bars. There was approximately 180 millimetres gap, which is adequate for a larger child or a young person to squeeze through. So, geometrically, I felt that that was the most likely. Manholes are very difficult to lift and need special keys. So, I felt that the inlet was the most likely point; there is a hatch above that wasn’t locked.”
Mr Pope dismissed the tunnel outlet at Belfast Lough as a possible entry point, describing it as “in a tidal situation and not easily seen. It would not be an attractive way to enter the culvert.” Dr Cooper added that he found a photograph of an adult squeezing through the bars at the culvert entrance “very persuasive.”
Movement and access conditions
Mr Pope explained that the normal way to move along the tunnel would be “crouching or crawling.” Regarding access to the culvert area, he believed it was prevented for most people due to “substantial” fencing. However, Dr Cooper described a “mixed picture” over public access, noting there was no fencing at the rear of houses close to the park.
The experts’ joint response stated that the culvert would have created conditions conducive to drowning. Mr Pope elaborated: “I think with the climatic conditions, the cold, the darkness, potential confusion. I’m an engineer, I understand pipework, but if you were not au fait with that, it would be a very confusing situation.”
Mr Coll highlighted the difference between an experienced Department for Infrastructure (DFI) operative in protective clothing entering the tunnel compared to a member of the public. Mr Pope agreed, saying: “It would be a completely different scenario, compared to being in the dark tunnel and by yourself.”
Other evidence and proceedings
Barrister for the DFI, Neasa Murnaghan KC, asked the experts to confirm the difference between a security screen over a culvert and a debris screen, which has more space between the bars. Both witnesses agreed.
Earlier, Mr Coll read agreed facts and a statement from witness C4, who said he had no interaction with Noah on June 21 2020 and “had nothing to do” with his disappearance. C4 also stated he had no knowledge of speculation that Noah had been injected with drugs. Mr Coll said C4 had previously been granted properly interested person (PIP) status, but based on the agreed facts, he was not required to attend and his PIP status was withdrawn.
The inquest will resume on Monday.
