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Noah Donohoe: Inquest into death of Belfast schoolboy identifies police failures
Jurors said infrastructure access failures may have contributed to the 14-year-old’s death, while finding no police failings that caused it.
- On Tuesday, an inquest jury concluded that failings by the Department of Infrastructure regarding culvert access "possibly" contributed to 14-year-old Noah Donohoe's death in June 2020, while finding no police errors contributed to the teenager's passing.
- Jurors reached this unanimous decision after 32 hours of deliberations across five days at Belfast Coroner's Court, examining evidence from 76 witnesses and statements from 42 individuals since the inquest began in January 2026.
- While clearing police of contributing to the death, jurors identified 13 subsequent investigative errors by the Police Service of Northern Ireland that impacted the inquest's ability to reach conclusions on specific case aspects.
- Jurors determined a failure to identify the culvert entrance as a public access point meant no warning signs were erected; the entrance remained covered only by a debris screen, allowing Noah access to the underground water system.
- Fiona Donohoe, who campaigned for years for answers, maintained a constant, dignified presence throughout the proceedings, as these findings provide some clarity for the family despite unresolved mysteries surrounding his disappearance.
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Sky News UKReposted by 
Great Yorkshire Radio
Great Yorkshire RadioNoah Donohoe: Inquest into death of Belfast schoolboy identifies police failures
Noah Donohoe's body was found in a storm drain tunnel in Belfast in June 2020. Despite a six-month inquest into his disappearance, mystery still surrounds the circumstances of his death.
·United Kingdom
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources16
Leaning Left6Leaning Right2Center6Last UpdatedBias Distribution43% Left, 43% Center
Bias Distribution
- 43% of the sources lean Left, 43% of the sources are Center
43% Center
L 43%
C 43%
14%
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