An inquest jury has concluded that failings by the Department for Infrastructure regarding access to a North Belfast water culvert possibly contributed to the tragic death of 14-year-old Noah Donohoe in June 2020.
The findings were delivered at Belfast Coroners’ Court after 32 hours of jury deliberations. Noah's body was recovered from an underground water tunnel in North Belfast, with a post-mortem examination determining the cause of death as drowning. While jurors found it was not probable that the department’s failings directly led to his death, they agreed it was a possible factor.
The jury highlighted that the department failed to identify the entrance to the culvert as a location that could be accessed by members of the public. Because of this oversight, no warning signs were placed at the site and the opening was protected solely by a debris screen. The jury foreman noted that this allowed Noah to enter the culvert via the screen.
Noah, a well-loved pupil at nearby St Malachy’s College, disappeared after leaving his South Belfast home on his bicycle to meet two friends in the Cavehill area. During his journey, he took a detour and was captured on CCTV cycling without clothes shortly before reaching the culvert area. Jurors stated that there was insufficient evidence to explain his behaviour after leaving his home at 5.40pm that evening.
The jury established that Noah died inside the culvert between 7pm and midnight on June 21. Because he was officially reported missing to police the following day, jurors determined that police actions or inaction did not contribute to his death.
However, the jury identified 13 subsequent investigative failings, primarily concerning the police response, that hindered the inquest's ability to reach firm conclusions on certain aspects surrounding the tragedy. The verdict marks a solemn moment for our local community and for Noah’s mother, Fiona, who has campaigned tirelessly for clarity and answers regarding her son's final hours.