Fiona Donohoe's Dedicated Search for Answers Following Noah's Tragic Loss

Ever since her 14-year-old son Noah was found dead in unexplained circumstances, Fiona Donohoe has spearheaded a deeply moving and high-profile campaign for answers that has resonated across North Belfast and far beyond. The health worker, originally from Strabane, took an active role from the very moment Noah went missing in June 2020, issuing heartfelt appeals and urging local homeowners to check their properties to help locate her only child.

Ms Donohoe was first seen publicly at a press conference at Musgrave Police Station in Belfast city centre on Wednesday, June 24, 2020. Flanked by her sisters Shona and Niamh, she sat tearful and with head bowed beside then PSNI Chief Superintendent Muir Clark as officers appealed for public help. At the height of the coronavirus lockdown, the search captured the attention and hearts of the wider community. When Noah's body was discovered in an underground water tunnel in North Belfast on Saturday, June 27, the tragedy hit home deeply for countless local residents who had held out hope for his safe return.

Crowds gathered in a powerful show of solidarity on the day of Noah’s funeral. Amid overwhelming shock and sorrow, Ms Donohoe shared a poignant tribute to her son, remembering him as a “beautiful soul with a beautiful mind” who “poured a whole lifetime of love into my life in 14 short years.”

In the months that followed, Ms Donohoe turned her profound grief into a steadfast campaign for clarity surrounding his death. She secured wide political backing, including support from Michelle O’Neill, who served as deputy First Minister at the time and is now First Minister. She also established the 'My Noah' social media channels to keep Noah's memory alive and maintain the call for answers, gathering a devoted following that became known locally and internationally as 'Noah’s Army'.

Throughout the journey toward Noah’s inquest, Ms Donohoe maintained close scrutiny over the process. When police sought redactions in sensitive files, she raised immediate concerns, sparking public rallies where thousands gathered dressed in the recognisable blue and white jerseys of Noah’s Army. Demonstrating her commitment to transparency, she personally presented a petition bearing nearly 300,000 signatures to police headquarters, handing it directly to then Assistant Chief Constable Bobby Singleton.

As the inquest opened in January 2026, Ms Donohoe took her seat toward the back of court 12. She quietly followed every development, listening to extensive evidence regarding the drainage culverts and the questioning of numerous police witnesses regarding the search and subsequent investigation. She stepped out of the courtroom only briefly during the proceedings, when the recording of her initial emergency call reporting Noah missing was played to the court. Her unwavering presence remains a testament to a mother's ongoing pursuit of answers for her son.