Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Accused ‘tried to trade laptop’ while hunt was on for Noah, 14
Man, 33, faces charge over ‘theft’ of teen’s device
A MAN accused of stealing Noah Donohoe’s laptop allegedly tried a trade-in while searches for the tragic schoolboy were going on, a court heard yesterday.
Daryl Paul was identified on CCTV footage trying to sell a computer at a Cash Converters store two days after the 14-year-old went missing, a judge was told.
The 33-year-old claims he found a rucksack containing the device and schoolbooks but did not know who they belonged to.
The defendant, of Cliftonville Avenue North Belfast, faces a single charge of theft of a laptop belonging to Noah on June 21.
There is no suggestion he had any direct contact with the boy who disappeared on that date.
The St Malachy’s College pupil went missing during a cycle trip from his home in the south of the city, sparking a massive operation to locate him.
His body was found in a North Belfast storm drain on June 27.
Pau l was n o t b r o u g h t b e f o re Belfast Magistrates’ Court due to Covid-19 protocols.
District Judge Peter Magill was told a man and woman went into Cash Converters on June 23, but were refused when they tried to sell a laptop.
CCTV allegedly showed a male identified as Paul.
A call was then made to police about someone being in possession of the computer, a rucksack and green
North Face jacket and school books with Noah’s name on them.
Officers attending Paul’s home on June 25 recovered his backpack and books, the court heard.
At the time, the accused was in custody for unrelated matters, but claimed he had found the laptop and given it to a friend to look after.
The computer was then said to have been located at the other person’s address.
Detectives suspect he found the bag after it was discarded.
The court also heard police have been searching for the accused since he was released from custody on November 5.
During inter views, Paul said he found the rucksack and its contents perched up against a wall.
Claiming not to have examined the books inside in any detail, he added he would have returned them if he had known who they belonged to.
Defence solicitor Una Conway said he had fully co-operated with police as a witness on June 25.
She added: “There is no suggestion Mr Paul’s involvement was anything more than coming across this rucksack.”
Bail was refused, however, due to concerns the defendant could re-offend or fail to turn up for any trial. Remanding Paul in custody for four weeks, Mr Magill denied an application for reporting re strictions. Th e judge emphasised: “There is no suspicion he had any c ont a ct dire ctly with
Noah Donohoe.”