Noah Donohoe: Police ask people to check property for missing teen

Police fear Noah Donohoe may have sustained a head injury

Police searching for a 14-year-old boy who went missing in north Belfast three days ago have urged people to check their property for him.

Officers believe Noah Donohoe may have fallen from his bicycle and sustained an injury causing him to remove his clothing on Sunday evening.

He was last seen in areas close to the Shore Road.

Supt Muir Clark said Noah was "not in any trouble" and appealed for him to "let us know you are safe".

A number of items belonging to the teenager, including his bicycle and some clothing, have been found.

Noah Donohoe's mother, Fiona, attended a news conference on Wednesday

In a news conference on Wednesday afternoon, joined by Noah's mother Fiona, Supt Clark said his family was "completely distraught".

"This behaviour is completely outside Noah's character," he added.

He said Noah had been seen walking towards a wooded area, which had been searched and would be searched again and appealed for anyone who was on North Queen Street or York Street at about 18:00 BST on Sunday and who has dashcam or CCTV footage to contact them.

Volunteers gathered in north Belfast on Wednesday morning to search for Noah

"We would also ask people in the area of Skegoneill Avenue, Northwood, Premier Drive to check their outbuildings," Supt Clark said.

"We would appeal for people in that area to check all of the nooks and the crannies to make sure that Noah is not there or, if he is there, we find and give him any assistance required."

He added: "We have grave concerns and we want to find Noah as soon as possible

"We're very grateful for the cross-community help that we've had from the people in north Belfast.

"His family is extremely distressed and we will do everything in our power to find Noah as quickly as we can."

'Waiting in hope': BBC News NI reporter Kevin Sharkey

Parents are holding their children close here in north Belfast. They are among hundreds of volunteers who've come out to search for Noah Donohoe.

It's now midweek and the 14-year-old schoolboy has been missing since Sunday.

The people who are searching are knocking on doors, asking householders to check their outdoor spaces. Others are clambering over fences and hedges to search fields and riversides.

Alongside the volunteers, a police search team is using a camera to check street manholes along the Shore Road and all neighbouring streets towards the Antrim Road.

Small groups of people are gathered in huddles sharing information and waiting in hope for good news.

Police searched properties as part of the operation on Wednesday

The police are leading the search operation with support from volunteers from the Community Rescue Service and members of the public.

Noah's aunt, Niamh Donohoe, said the response of local people aiding the search had been amazing and appealed for them to continue helping the family.

"When a 14-year-old child goes missing it's heart-wrenching, especially for his mother who's just inconsolable and just wants him home," she said.

"We're just taking it minute by minute and day by day.

"We just appreciate it so much, I can't even convey to everybody that's here. Thank you for all the help and just keep coming please."

Sean McCarry, of the Community Rescue Service, said the public in north Belfast had been "tremendous" in helping with the search.

"We would just encourage them to talk to their neighbours, try and find out if anybody's seen Noah," he said.

Police have said they have grave concerns for Noah

"If you've seen him, please come forward to the police immediately because we need some kind of direction of travel for Noah.

"We're still very optimistic as we will continue to be, hope's the last thing that goes.

"For a young boy of 14 this time of year, he's fit and healthy, there's a very good chance that he's maybe confused, doesn't understand who he is, we don't know what's going on with Noah, but we do know this is totally out of character.

"So our expectation is that we're still going to find Noah safe and well, but we do need to find him."

In a statement, Ch Insp Gavin Kirkpatrick said police believe Noah left his home in south Belfast at about 17:30 BST on Sunday 21 June.

He was seen on Ormeau Avenue at 17:45 BST and then again on Royal Avenue a short time later, heading towards York Street.

Shortly before 18:00, Noah was sighted on North Queen Street heading towards the Limestone Road.

The Community Rescue Service is taking part in the search

"An eyewitness believes they saw a young male matching Noah's description fall off his bicycle on Sunday evening, possibly sustaining a head injury, in the vicinity of North Queen Street/York Street, but we do not know the specific time," the chief inspector added.

'Completely out of character'

Police think Noah got back on his bicycle and cycled into Northwood Road, but then dropped his bicycle and left the area on foot.

The last sighting was in this area at 18:08.

"Police officers supported by air support unit, police dogs and our tactical support group have been searching the area alongside Community Rescue Service colleagues and local volunteers," the officer added.

Police said Noah was riding a black Apollo mountain bike when he was last seen.

He was wearing a khaki green North Face jacket; black skateboarding helmet; a blue and navy hooded top; grey sweat shorts with an emblem on one leg; Nike trainers with a bright yellow tick and a khaki rucksack.

Anyone with information on Noah's whereabouts is asked to contact police immediately on 101.