No traces of drugs found in Noah Donohoe's body

Toxicology experts have told an inquest that no traces of drugs were found in samples taken from Noah Donohoe's body.

However, the inquest has also heard that the possibility of drugs having been in the schoolboy's body "cannot be completely excluded".

The hearing was told that any "unstable" drugs in a body can degrade before post-mortem samples are analysed.

The inquest into the schoolboy's death has been hearing evidence from Amy Quinn, a forensic scientist at Forensic Science Northern Ireland, and Dr Simon Elliott who is an England-based toxicology consultant.

The witnesses explained how blood and urine samples were analysed for both drugs and alcohol following the schoolboy's disappearance and death in June 2020.

Both experts agreed that the results of the tests showed that Noah was not under the influence of alcohol at the time of his death.

The tests also recorded that there was no presence of drugs recorded in the samples taken from Noah's body.

However, the witnesses explained that the testing of a range of pharmaceutical and controlled drugs was "not exhaustive" and was limited because of the existence of thousands of different types of drugs.

The inquest heard that the wide ranges of available drugs means that many drugs are outside the scope of toxicology testing.

The coroner and jury were also told that hundreds of versions of the drug known as spice exist and testing could not cover all these possibilities.

Quinn explained that spice, a synthetic cannabinoid, has been developed as a class of drug designed "to mimic cannabis" and is used recreationally.

The experts agreed that many drugs which are regarded as "unstable" can degrade and be undetectable by the time post-mortem samples are tested.

The witnesses accepted that this meant that the potential presence of unstable drugs "cannot be completely excluded".

Elliott explained that some drugs can disappear from a body within hours.

The toxicology tests on samples from Noah's body took place on 2 July 2020.

His body was recovered on 27 June 2020, six days after he disappeared.

Quinn also told the inquiry the level of toxicology testing she applied in Noah's case was in keeping with the standard applied in a murder case.

Commenting on the impact of stimulant drugs, Elliott explained how they can cause an increase in body temperature causing a person to overheat and possibly to remove their clothing.

He also spoke about the change in Noah's behaviour, in an approximate 20-minute period prior to his disappearance, from a normal functioning individual to exhibiting erratic behaviour.

Elliot agreed Noah's behaviour could be linked to spice or some other drug, but it could also be related to an underlying mental health issue, which he said he was not qualified to comment upon.

The inquest also heard from the two witnesses that certain drugs can have a rapid effect if administered through smoking.

The inquest continues.