The inquest into the death of 14-year-old Noah Donohoe hears evidence about how his body was found in a culvert and whether access to the culvert entrance could reasonably be anticipated. Multiple reports say a senior Stormont official tells the inquest that it was not “reasonably foreseeable” that someone would enter or access the culvert area where the boy’s body was later discovered. The Irish Times report adds that the official says he has never seen a death occur in similar circumstances.
Belfast Telegraph reports also include evidence and expert commentary focused on the hazards around the culvert area, including that conditions within the culvert would have been frightening or terrifying. Other reporting indicates the inquest is ongoing and continues to hear further evidence.
Overall, the accounts converge on the central theme that the official’s view is that access to the culvert entrance was not a foreseeable risk, while additional evidence at the inquest addresses the nature of the location and potential hidden dangers. The inquest has not reached a conclusion in the provided reports.
