Let Noah police do their job
Coroner’s plea as he condemns ‘inaccurate and baseless’ speculation over teen’s death
THE coroner investigating the death of Noah Donohoe has hit out at damaging speculation over the teenager’s death and urged the public to let the police do their job.
Joe Mccrisken told yesterday’s preliminary hearing into the tragedy that most social media comment has been “inaccurate and baseless” and added: “A team of police who act as my investigators deserve space to properly perform this investigative role.”
A CORONER investigating the death of Belfast schoolboy Noah Donohoe has demanded an end to “baseless, inaccurate” and potentially “criminal” speculation around his death.
Joe Mccrisken said social media commentary on the tragedy should cease, adding that it is “distressing” the family.
He was speaking during a preliminary hearing held in Laganside Court yesterday.
Noah (14) disappeared in north Belfast on June 21, shortly after he was seen cycling near the Shore Road.
It sparked a massive search in the area and further afield by local people and the emergency services.
His body was found in a kilometre-long storm drain off the Shore Road six days later.
It was one of the most intensive and high-profile missing person cases Northern Ireland has witnessed.
Mr Mccrisken, who set a date for Noah’s inquest to be held on January 18 next year, acknowledged the grief of Noah’s loved ones, particularly for his mum, Fiona, saying: “Noah was described to me as a boy who was well liked, was fiercely intelligent and hugely talented.
“His family... have clearly felt his loss very deeply.”
Fiona, supported by her sister, Niamh — Noah’s aunt — was present at the proceedings.
The coroner revealed that he had met with them both prior to the preliminary hearing, at a meeting also attended by the family’s solicitor Niall Murphy, and Andree Murphy from Relatives for Justice.
Last week, a family spokeswoman said the preliminary findings of an autopsy indicated the schoolboy had drowned and had not suffered a head injury.
An early police theory was that Noah sustained a head injury in the fall from his bike, causing him to become disorientated and enter the drain.
Mr Mccrisken said that results from some tests were still outstanding, and as such, he stressed the full post-mortem examination findings have yet to be determined.
“It is important for me to point out at this juncture that despite media reporting on this issue, these are preliminary findings only, and a full post-mortem report is awaited,” he said.
He called for an end to online speculation which began following Noah’s disappearance and had continued since.
“Since Noah’s disappearance, and following the discovery of his body, there has been a high volume of speculation and comment published on social media and other forms of media,” the coroner added.
“Most of this content has been inaccurate and baseless. Some has been distressing to Noah’s family and some may have been criminal.
“While I understand the concern of the community in the light of Noah’s disappearance and death, and the desire for further information, I am asking that speculation ceases from today.”
He continued: “I am asking the community and media to respect my wishes as the coroner responsible for investigating Noah’s death, and respect the wishes of Noah’s family, to be left in peace to begin to properly grieve for Noah.
“Investigations are ongoing and further evidence has to be gathered. A team of police who act as my investigators deserve space to properly perform this investigative role.”
He warned that inquest proceedings were now active, and anyone who infringes on the proceedings may face prosecution.
“If anyone publishes content which may breach the Contempt of Court Act, and this includes publishing content on forms of social media, then the Attorney General for Northern Ireland can take action to punish that individual, or publication.”
He continued that, to dispel some of the false rumours and speculation, he was revealing some of the details of Noah’s last movements, with the family’s consent.
“The police team have compiled video footage which covers Noah’s journey from his home to Northwood Road, just off the Shore Road. Noah is not seen on that footage to interact with anyone else on his journey,” he said.
“Noah can be seen on the video footage to fall off his bicycle on the Shore Road close to the Grove Wellbeing Centre.
“It seems at this point he loses his green overcoat. This item of clothing has not yet been recovered.”
Noah is next seen entering Northwood Crescent and later Northwood Road, where he is spotted without any clothes on, the coroner added.
Mr Mccrisken said that along with his coat, other items belonging to Noah have yet to be recovered, such as grey Primark shorts with no logo, white underwear and a dark green T-shirt with a light green and orange skull image.
A bag containing Noah’s laptop was found on York Street and his phone was found on North Queen Street — belongings which are now being examined.
The coroner appealed for anyone with knowledge of the missing items, or Noah’s journey, to come forward.
“At present there is no evidence linking Noah’s death to the death of any other individual,” he added.
The Donohoe family’s solicitor, Niall Murphy, welcomed Mr Mccrisken’s appeal for the speculation to end, describing it as “ill-informed commentary” which needs to stop.
“Noah’s family is also confident that our participation in
❝ At present there is no evidence linking Noah’s death to the death of any other individual
these proceedings will provide the opportunity to ask, and have answered, all questions, and that all lines of inquiry will be exhausted,” he said.
He thanked all of those who had been involved in the search and who had passed their thoughts to the family.
Mr Murphy said they had provided a “modicum of comfort” as the family endures a “living nightmare”.
A further preliminary hearing was scheduled for September 30.
The search for Noah brought hundreds of people to North Belfast over six days in June.
Both sides of the community came together in a bid to locate the missing St Malachy’s College Year 10 pupil, with hundreds of mourners gathering outside St Patrick’s Church in Belfast city centre for his requiem mass.
Mourners heard how the talented celloist and basketball player was a “beautiful soul with a beautiful mind who poured a lifetime of love into 14 short years”.