Noah Donohoe Inquest: Key Findings from Week Seven

The inquest into the tragic death of 14-year-old Noah Donohoe has concluded its seventh week at Belfast Coroner’s Court. As our community continues to follow the proceedings closely, this week’s hearings focused on the police response and detailed forensic evidence from medical experts.

Chief Inspector Robinson provided testimony regarding a compliance review of the police search conducted in 2020. While the review identified five specific areas where procedures were not fully followed—particularly concerning the recording of risk assessments—the Inspector maintained that the overall investigation was a "very good response" that was "gripped at an early stage" with significant resources.

Medical evidence was also a primary focus this week. A panel of three pathologists agreed that Noah’s cause of death was likely drowning and that he was alive when he entered the storm drain. While a "broad area of bruising" on Noah's forehead was discussed, the experts found no evidence of direct violence or injuries suggesting the involvement of a third party. They also noted that, based on the condition of his body, it is likely Noah died closer to the time he first went missing than when he was discovered.

The court also heard discussions regarding the absence of a water sample from the storm drain for comparative testing. Experts explained that diatoms—microorganisms found in natural water—were present in Noah’s lungs, indicating he had drowned in such an environment. While a sample from the drain could have provided supportive evidence, experts stated it would not have changed the final conclusion regarding the cause of death. Brenda Campbell KC, representing Fiona Donohoe, noted that the lack of a sample represented a missed opportunity to gather additional answers during the initial investigation.