Belfast, Northern Ireland – Testimony at the ongoing inquest into the death of 14-year-vintage Noah Donohoe has revealed the challenging conditions faced by search teams in the storm drain tunnel system where his body was discovered in June 2020. Witnesses described the tunnel as being shrouded in “complete and utter darkness,” hindering visibility even at close range. The inquest, now in its sixth week, continues to examine the circumstances surrounding the schoolboy’s disappearance and death.
Noah Donohoe, a student at St Malachy’s College, was last seen alive on June 21, 2020, after leaving home on his bicycle to meet friends in the Cavehill area of Belfast. His body was found six days later in a storm drain tunnel. A post-mortem examination determined the cause of death to be drowning. The inquest is being held before a jury at Belfast Coroner’s Court, with the aim of establishing the full facts of the case.
Owen McGivern, a Department for Infrastructure Rivers official, told the court that beyond the initial 10-20 meters of the culvert, “it’s black.” He elaborated, stating the darkness was unlike that of night, where some visibility remains, emphasizing that one “couldn’t observe your hand in front of your face.” This detail underscores the difficulties encountered by those involved in the search operation. The inquest is examining access points to the culvert system from nearby residential areas.
The court also heard evidence regarding the potential risks associated with gas levels within the tunnel network. McGivern stated that gas buildup would only occur when the system was “agitated,” and that during his multiple visits, gas alarms had not been triggered. Desilting work had begun in the tunnel network prior to Noah’s disappearance, but was halted due to a combination of factors, including the Covid-19 pandemic and the discovery of contaminated material that required specialized disposal procedures.
Initial police assessments of the case indicated that officers believed Noah Donohoe was “missing voluntarily,” according to evidence presented at the inquest. This initial assessment later shifted as the investigation progressed and CCTV footage placed him in the Northwood area. Sergeant Hutchings, the lead Police Search Advisor (PolSA) during the search, stated in a witness statement that Noah was found “as quickly and as safely as he could have been” given the circumstances.
The inquest has also explored lines of inquiry including an investigation into known sex offenders in the area, as part of a broader hypothesis considered when Noah could not be located. The jury was taken on a site visit to key locations, including the entrance to the culvert at Northwood Linear Park, on Monday, providing them with a firsthand view of the terrain.
The investigation into Noah Donohoe’s death has been long-awaited, with the inquest beginning in January 2026. His mother has previously expressed concern regarding delays in the release of CCTV footage related to the case, with legal experts noting that the coroner’s decision to make the footage public is “very unusual.”
As the inquest continues, attention will likely focus on further examination of the search procedures, the initial assessment of the case as a voluntary missing person, and the factors contributing to the challenging conditions within the tunnel system. The jury will ultimately be tasked with determining the facts surrounding Noah Donohoe’s death.
The inquest is expected to continue in the coming weeks, with further evidence to be presented. Updates will be provided as they become available.
If you are affected by the issues raised in this story, support is available. You can contact the Samaritans on 116 123 or visit their website at https://www.samaritans.org/.
