Noah Donohoe Inquest: Retired Officer Details Harsh Storm Drain Conditions

The inquest into the tragic death of North Belfast teenager Noah Donohoe has heard emotional testimony regarding the 'horrendous' conditions within the storm drain network where the 14-year-old was discovered. Now in its fourth week at the Belfast Coroner’s Court, the jury heard from retired inspector Menary, who previously managed a hazardous environment search team.

Noah, a pupil at St Malachy’s College, went missing in June 2020 after leaving his home to meet friends in the Cavehill area. Following a six-day search, he was found in a storm drain in North Belfast. A post-mortem examination later confirmed the cause of death as drowning. During the proceedings, Mr. Menary explained that his team began searching a specific stretch of the drain network on Thursday, June 25, four days after Noah was first reported missing.

The search focused on a tunnel system accessible from Northwood Linear Park, eventually leading to an area underneath the Seaview football pitch, the home of Crusaders FC. Mr. Menary described the environment as 'freezing cold,' noting that even with a sealed protective suit, water would frequently wash over him. He told the court that for anyone inside the tunnel without specialized protective clothing, the experience would have been 'absolutely horrendous' and 'absolutely frozen.'

The retired officer further detailed how the extreme cold and the physical exertion required to navigate the system would lead to disorientation. Reflecting on the search, Mr. Menary expressed how 'heartbreaking' it remains to think of Noah being inside the tunnel network. He described the section beneath the football pitch as particularly difficult, emphasizing the harsh reality of the environment during those June days in 2020.