Donal MacIntyre Raises Fresh Concerns Over Noah Donohoe Investigation

The investigation into the tragic disappearance and death of Belfast teenager Noah Donohoe has come under renewed scrutiny following strong criticism from investigative author Donal MacIntyre. Speaking following the launch of his book, 'The Search For Truth: Noah Donohoe', MacIntyre described aspects of the police inquiry as profoundly inadequate and raised troubling questions about the timeline of the 14-year-old's final days.

Noah went missing in North Belfast on June 21, 2020, sparking an extensive six-day community and emergency search that ended in heartbreak when his body was discovered in an underground storm drain near Northwood Avenue on June 27. A recent 20-week inquest concluded with a narrative verdict, finding Noah's death was consistent with drowning and that there was no evidence of third-party involvement. While jurors determined that police actions did not directly cause Noah's death, they listed 13 distinct investigative failings by officers. These shortcomings included failing to secure crucial CCTV footage, poorly executed house-to-house inquiries, and significant delays in recognising that Noah may have entered the culvert.

MacIntyre, who stepped in to assist Noah’s mother Fiona and aunt Niamh in their search for answers, believes the handling of the search fell far short of what the family and community deserved. He highlighted that within 24 hours of Noah being reported missing, civilian search expert Sean McCarry suggested a 50 per cent chance the teenager was inside the Department for Infrastructure storm drain, near where he had been seen cycling. However, police officers estimated that likelihood at only five per cent, initially conducting only a brief exclusionary search a few metres into the tunnel before focusing resources elsewhere until Wednesday.

Critical evidence was also overlooked during the initial days, While officers reviewed front-facing CCTV from a nearby property showing Noah, two additional cameras on the same home were left unchecked, including one with a vantage point overlooking the storm drain area that could have captured his movements. Furthermore, handprints discovered on the drain wall close to where Noah was found were never tested, and comparative water testing was not performed between the drain and Noah’s lungs.

MacIntyre also challenges the inquest jury’s conclusion that Noah died on Sunday night between 7pm and midnight. At the inquest, three separate pathologists testified that Noah could potentially have survived in the drain into Tuesday, with two noting survival into Wednesday was possible. MacIntyre's own consult suggested he may have lived even longer, potentially into Thursday, while multiple local residents reported hearing screams and observing unusual activity in the vicinity until the early hours of Monday morning.

Addressing theories surrounding third-party involvement, MacIntyre dismissed suggestions of suicide or self-harm, noting there was no history of suicidal ideation. Instead, he believes Noah may have been hiding in dense undergrowth during the night and was inadvertently startled by a well-meaning local resident searching with a flashlight following reports in the close-knit neighbourhood, causing the frightened teenager to flee into the open storm drain. The drain itself was managed by the Department for Infrastructure, which jurors noted had erred by leaving the site accessible to the public without warning signs.

Having retraced Noah's route underground into the darkness of the drain, MacIntyre described the environment as terrifying and expressed heartfelt solidarity with the family as they continue to process the profound loss and seek clarity on what happened to Noah.