Noah Donohoe: Coroner appeals for 'inaccurate and baseless rumours' to stop

A Belfast coroner has appealed for "inaccurate and baseless rumours" about the disappearance and death of 14-year-old schoolboy Noah Donohoe to stop.

The Belfast teenager went missing on 21 June. His body was found in a storm drain in north Belfast six days later.

A post-mortem examination found he died as a result of drowning.

During a preliminary hearing ahead of the full inquest, Joe McCrisken said police investigations are ongoing and asked for an end to online speculation.

Mr McCrisken stressed the post-mortem examination findings are preliminary and that a full report is awaited.

"I understand the concern of the communities in the light of Noah's disappearance and death, and the desire for further information.

"I am asking that speculation cease from today," he said.

The disappearance of the grammar school pupil caused a widespread outpouring of grief and sympathy.

Noah's mother Fiona and aunt Niamh attended the hearing at Laganside Courts in Belfast.

In the days after his disappearance, hundreds of people turned out to search for him.

There has been much speculation around his disappearance in the month that has passed and the coroner addressed that.

He said he could provide some details which may dispel some of those "baseless and inaccurate rumours".

• Post-mortem finds Noah Donohoe died from drowning

He said officers investigating Noah's death have compiled video footage of his journey from south Belfast to the north of the city and that Noah is not seen interacting with anyone else on this journey.

Mr McCrisken said Noah was seen to fall from his bicycle on the Shore Road close to the Grove Leisure Centre.

He said the bag containing his laptop was found by a member of the public on York Street and his phone was also discovered on North Queen Street by a member of the public.

Mr McCrisken added there is no evidence linking Noah's death to the death of any other individual.

The coroner confirmed that Noah was seen on Northwood Road without any clothes.

'Residents have assisted police'

His hoodie and shoes have been recovered but a specific appeal has been made for anyone who may know the whereabouts of other items of clothing to contact police, the coroner's service, KRW law or Relatives for Justice.

Those items are: Noah's green coat; grey Primark-labelled shorts; white underwear; and a green t-shirt with orange skull on the front.

Mr McCrisken said: "I want to make it clear that the residents of Northwood Crescent, Northwood Road and surrounding areas have at all times assisted police with their enquiries and assisted the community rescue service and police in their search for Noah."

None of the preliminary post-mortem examination results were revealed in court.

The family's solicitor Niall Murphy told the coroner that they hoped the proceedings would "provide the opportunity to ask, and have answered, all questions in relation to Noah's death, and further that all lines of enquiry will be exhausted".

He also appealed for residents in the area of Skegoneill Avenue, Loughview Terrace, Northwood Drive, Northwood Crescent and Northwood Road to review and secure any private CCTV for the 21 June around 6pm and bring it to the police, the coroner or Noah's representatives.

"Noah's family take this opportunity to thank all those who assisted in the search for Noah, and for the thoughts and prayers which have been offered which have provided a modicum of comfort in what has been a living nightmare," he said.

The full inquest will take place in January 2021.