Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
‘ASSAULT’ ON NOAH PROBED
Grieving family’s appeal to public
THE family of Noah Donohoe yesterday pleaded for anyone with knowledge of a possible attack on him to come forward.
A preliminary inquest was told of a report to police that the 14-year-old was assaulted before his death last
June. Solicitor Niall Murphy said: “We are aware there is a line of inquiry... that Noah may have been assaulted as he cycled through the city centre.”
A court in Belfast heard the knowledge of people in the homeless community and those struggling with addiction is of particular interest.
THE PSNI received a report that tragic teenager Noah Donohoe may have been assaulted, an inquest heard yesterday.
Speaking at a preliminary hearing into the death of the 14-year-old, the family’s legal representative revealed this line of inquiry is ongoing.
The Belfast court heard the knowledge of people in the homeless community and those struggling with addiction issues is of particular interest.
Niall Murphy, of KRW Law, made several direct appeals for CCTV footage and mobile phone photographs to be brought to the police immediately.
A search was launched after the South Belfast schoolboy went missing on June 21 last year.
The body of the St Malachy’s College pupil was found in a storm drain near the M2 motorway in North Belfast six days later.
Police believe he entered the drain in the Northwood Road area. The Department for Infrastructure is now an interested party in the inquest.
Mr Murphy told Coroner Joe Mccrisken he would appeal to the businesses on Royal Avenue, at the junction with North Road, to review CCTV footage.
He said: “We are aware there is a line of inquiry into which some investigation is taking place and will require further investigation in respect of statements received by police that Noah may have been assaulted as he cycled through the city centre.
“We would appeal for anyone with knowledge of this event to immediately attend with police to make a statement.”
Mr Mccrisken added: “It is my understanding an individual came forward to police with an account that was recorded by her solicitor.
“And police have an obligation to inquire into that account. Some of what was initially told to police has since been clarified. Inquiries are ongoing.”
Mr Murphy said: “We have reason to believe there is particular interest in specific knowledge of this assault in the homeless community and with those struggling with addiction issues, both in the city centre.
“And I’d also appeal to anyone who may have been resident at the Queens Quarter Housing Association in University Street in June.
“We appeal for businesses on Royal Avenue, at the junction at the bottom of Royal Avenue and North Street and the Belfast Telegraph building, to review their CCTV from June 21 and to make
Noah may have been assaulted as he cycled in city centre SOLICITOR NIALL MURPHY YESTERDAY
this available to police. We also make a very specific appeal for people with relevant photographs stored in their phones to voluntarily present themselves and their phones to police to enable police to forensically download photos, verify times and location.
“Those people are not under suspicion and certainly not by the Donohoe family. You’ve done nothing wrong and you will get your phone back.”
Barrister Declan Quinn said disclosure is now “largely complete” with a number of expert reports outstanding.
He added: “In terms of the PSNI investigations since the last hearing, disclosure is now largely complete in terms of paperwork to the coroner’s office from police.
“However, before there is any dissemination of witness statements, we need to check statements. Once the core bundle of material has been received, that will be organised, prepared and disseminated.
“There are a number of expert reports still in the process of being obtained.
“This includes scientific details regarding the location of Noah’s body and the storm drain system.
“Health and Safety Executive are continuing their own investigations in relation to matters regarding the storm drain system. Those will need to have time and space to be completed.”
Department for Infrastructure
Only person who is in possession of all the facts is me CORONER JOE MCCRISKEN YESTERDAY
representative Philip Mcateer said: “We have nothing to add to what Mr Quinn has already outlined.
“I will confirm that we will liaise with both Coroner’s Service and I am happy to liaise with Mr Quinn.
“Beyond that we will deal with anything else you ask us to deal with and are grateful for the opportunity to be involved as an interested party.”
The court also heard that a selfpublished book has recently appeared on Amazon, using Noah Donohoe’s name on the front.
This matter has been reported to the
Attorney
General regarding potential contempt of court.
The Donohoe family’s representative clarified Noah’s mum Fiona has distanced herself from the publication.
Mr Mccrisken said: “Everyone should know by now that the only person who is in possession of all of the facts is me. I have all of the statements and forensics.
“None of that information has yet been made available to the next of kin let alone any other individual. I haven’t had sight of the publication although I was made aware of it on Friday of last week and have referred the matter to the Attorney and that is her statutory responsibility to look at that issue.”
The hearing was told the next available sitting for the commencement of the full inquest is January 2022.
Mr Mccrisken added: “The 10th January 2022 is not a provisional date. That’s the date of inquest.
“I am entirely confident this inquest will start then. There are a number of matters which we need to deal with. Discrete matters in terms of disclosure. I
anticipate this will be completed before the next review date. If that is done by say the end of March, one hopes we will be in a different position come then in terms of this pandemic.
“The real issue is that I have nine months’ worth of inquests that were listed last year to commence from March to December that couldn’t be heard and those families have a right to have their inquests heard also. That is why we don’t have availability between now and 2022.”
A further hearing was scheduled for April 12.