Noah Donohoe's mother tells inquest son had 'lust for life'

The mother of Belfast schoolboy Noah Donohoe has told the inquest into his death that her son had a "lust for life and learning".

The body of the 14-year-old was found in a storm drain in north Belfast on 27 June 2020, six days after he went missing.

A post-mortem examination found that his death was due to drowning.

Noah was a pupil at St Malachy's College on the Antrim Road.

On Thursday, Fiona Donohoe's prerecorded evidence was presented to the coroner's court as the first evidence at the inquest.

She said her son had "a thirst for knowledge".

The schoolboy's mother was visibly distressed as she read through her evidence, breaking down regularly as she recalled memories they shared together.

She said they had "such beautiful, magical bonds".

She also explained how, as a single-parent family, they were "a team" in every aspect of their lives together.

She also described her pride in his determination to succeed academically, and that she watched him thrive in sport and musical pursuits, including playing the cello.

Fiona Donohoe said she was proud of her son's ambitions to embrace education and to pursue academic ambitions, despite coming from a low-income family background.

The schoolboy's mother went on to express concerns about the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) investigations around the time of his disappearance and following his death.

She asked if a "blind eye" was being turned to evidence that conflicted with police lines.

In a supplementary statement, prepared on Thursday and read into the inquest, she explained such was the trust between herself and her son that she would occasionally stay overnight with a former partner before the Covid-19 period.

But she insisted she would never leave Noah alone unless she was certain he was safe, contactable, and comfortable with the arrangement.

Earlier, the inquest heard details of a harrowing phonecall Fiona Donohoe made to police on the evening of her son's disappearance.

The call began with Fiona Donohoe telling a police handler: "My son is 14, he has not come home yet."

She then went on to plead for help in trying to find him and explained that she was worried about his welfare, adding Noah "has not been himself at all over the past week".

She added: "I'm concerned for his safety."

She also said: "He's been up and down."

She also described how her son had a book entitled 12 Rules for Life by the author Jordan Peterson and "he hasn't taken it out of his hands".

Noah's mother went on to explain how her son had been doing things he wouldn't normally do to help her that week, and how she also received "massive hugs" from him.

She also told the police handler how she was concerned that he hadn't returned home saying: "My instinct is telling me it's not right."

Fiona Donohoe said she was "extremely concerned" about her son's mental health that week, and she had sought counselling for him.

The call lasted for about 25 and a half minutes, and Noah's mother sounded distressed as she gave details about her missing son.

Towards the conclusion of the call, she told the handler how her son was "a good soul" who never gave her any bother.

When the call handler assured her that a police crew would look for Noah, Fiona Donohoe said: "Thank you so much".

Earlier on Thursday, a jury of 11 members - nine men and two women - as well as four reserves were sworn in.

The jury selection process began in private on Monday under the direction of the coroner Mr Justice Rooney.

About 100 members of the public were in court for consideration as potential jury members at the beginning of a protracted and thorough process.

The number was eventually reduced to 23 people, and then after one further excusal, 22.

The 11 jury members were then drawn by ballot from the group of 22.

Fiona Donohoe watched on as the jury members were sworn in individually.

Mr Justice Rooney told the members of the jury it "is a very difficult day for her".

He said she had to wait some time for the inquest to begin and the coroner then gave a brief overview of the schoolboy's disappearance and death.

He also warned the jury members that they must reached a verdict based only on the evidence they hear at the inquest.

The inquest is continuing.

Noah disappeared after cycling to the Shore Road in north Belfast from his home at Fitzroy Avenue in south Belfast in the afternoon of 21 June 2020.

The last reported sighting of him was at around 18:00 BST that evening.

Noah's disappearance prompted a major search operation with hundreds of people from across Belfast involved.

His body was found downstream in a storm drain on 27 June.

His mother has led a high-profile campaign for answers around her son's death.

She is being supported by family members, and her solicitor Niall Murphy.

Her counsel, Brenda Campbell KC, told a preliminary hearing last year that Ms Donohoe wanted a "full and fearless" inquest into her son's death.