A coroner’s jury in Belfast finds that 14-year-old Noah Donohoe dies on the night he disappears, and that the police response to his disappearance does not contribute to his death. Noah Donohoe goes missing in June 2020 after cycling to meet friends, and his body is later found in north Belfast six days afterwards.
The jury also records criticism and shortcomings in other parts of the case. It concludes there are failings that affect what can be concluded during the inquest, and it finds the Department of Infrastructure “erred” in its management of the culvert where Noah is found. However, it says it is not probable that the department’s management more than minimally contributed to his death, and the evidence is insufficient to explain Noah’s behaviour on the day he went missing.
While outlets agree on the jury’s core finding that police did not contribute to the death, some coverage emphasizes condemnation of authorities over storm-drain maintenance and the wider implications of the culvert findings.
