The coroner has made public CCTV footage of a young student leaving his residence in the early morning hours on the day he disappeared, ultimately being discovered deceased in a storm drain.
Mr Justice Rooney has issued a fresh plea for assistance in the case of Noah Donohoe, a 14-year-old who departed his home in Belfast on the evening of June 21, 2020, and did not return, triggering an extensive search effort. The adolescent rode his bicycle through the Belfast city center and was last spotted alive on CCTV shortly after 6pm.
On the morning of Noah’s disappearance, he was observed leaving his residence on Fitzroy Avenue around 3:34 am before returning at approximately 4:08 am. The coroner is now seeking information regarding Noah’s destination, any potential individuals he may have been meeting, or the whereabouts of his belongings.
At the time of his departure at 3:34 am, Noah was attired in dark knee-length shorts and a light or white T-shirt. Witnesses report that he had flip-flops on and was carrying over-ear headphones in his right hand. He seemed to have turned right, walking west towards Queen’s University.
Upon his return around half an hour later, Noah was seen on University Street, coming from the Ormeau Road direction and heading towards Queen’s University. He proceeded to turn left onto Dudley Street, followed by a right onto Fitzroy Avenue, heading straight back to his residence.
Noah re-entered his home around 4:08 am. Surveillance footage indicates that he had no footwear on during his return and was not carrying his flip-flops or headphones.
The Presiding Coroner, Mr Justice Rooney, is conducting an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding Noah Donohoe’s passing and urges anyone with relevant information to step forward.
Individuals with information are encouraged to contact the Coroners Service for Northern Ireland using the provided contact details.