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Belfast – The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has refuted suggestions that items of clothing belonging to Noah Donohoe, a 14-year-old who died in 2020, were lost after being recovered following his disappearance. The denial came during the fourth week of the inquest into Noah’s death, which resumed on Monday, February 16, 2026.
Noah Donohoe was found in a storm drain in north Belfast six days after he went missing on June 21, 2020. A post-mortem examination determined the cause of death as drowning. The inquest is examining the circumstances surrounding his disappearance and death, including the police investigation that followed. The case has garnered significant public attention and scrutiny, particularly regarding the initial response from authorities.
The PSNI constable giving evidence on Monday denied that a less rigorous investigative approach was taken simply because it was initially treated as a missing person’s case. This denial came under cross-examination by a barrister representing Noah’s mother, Fiona Donohoe. The officer maintained that all appropriate procedures were followed during the search for the teenager.
Bicycle Recovery and Clothing Concerns
The officer testified about recovering Noah’s bicycle near the location where he was last seen. Central to the questioning was the issue of Noah’s clothing, which he had discarded during the evening of June 21st. The barrister questioned whether all recovered items had been properly accounted for, suggesting some may have been lost within the police exhibits system. The officer firmly rejected this suggestion, stating that if any remaining clothing had been found in the street, it would have been discovered. He asserted he had fulfilled all expected duties and saw no indication of criminal activity.
According to reports, Noah was observed by several individuals riding his bicycle naked on Northwood Road in north Belfast on the night he disappeared. Earlier that day, he had told his mother he was meeting friends at Cave Hill, a plan that was later cancelled, though Noah was not informed. The inquest has heard evidence that he cycled across the city, discarding possessions, including a laptop, before ultimately removing all his clothing.
Eyewitness Accounts and Initial Response
Evidence presented at the inquest includes statements from eyewitnesses who saw Noah on his final bike journey. The Irish News reports that proceedings resumed with evidence from both an eyewitness and the PSNI officer who first attended Northwood Road. Key evidence to date includes statements from Noah’s friends, eyewitness accounts of his cycling, and details regarding access to the storm drain where his body was found.
Another witness claimed the PSNI were “very dismissive” when they came to collect his statement in 2022, according to the Belfast Telegraph. The inquest has as well explored discrepancies in CCTV timings, which may have impacted the investigation, as reported by Irish News.
The first PSNI officer to visit Noah Donohoe’s home after his disappearance has defended the notes he took during his initial meeting with Fiona Donohoe. He stated he is “content” with the six lines of notes recorded in his pocket notebook, according to The Irish Times. The officer noted that Noah’s behavior was “completely out of character” and that he usually returned home before 10 pm.
Mental Health Struggles and Previous Testimony
Prior testimony revealed that Noah had confided in friends about struggling with mental health issues and feeling “in denial” in the days leading up to his disappearance, as reported by RTÉ. The inquest continues to examine these aspects of Noah’s life and their potential connection to the events of June 21, 2020.
The officer who attended the initial report of Noah’s disappearance stated he saw no sign of any crime, according to the BBC. He said he had done everything that would have been expected.
The inquest is ongoing, and further evidence is expected to be presented in the coming days. The proceedings aim to establish the full sequence of events leading to Noah Donohoe’s death and to address the concerns raised by his family and the public.
As the inquest progresses, attention will likely focus on the detailed examination of police procedures and the timeline of events. The findings of the inquest are anticipated to provide a comprehensive understanding of the circumstances surrounding this tragic case and may lead to recommendations for future investigations.
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