Coroner’s court sits late on third day of Noah Donohoe inquest deliberations

By Rebecca Black, Press Association

A coroner’s court is sitting late while the jury in the inquest into the death of Belfast schoolboy Noah Donohoe is continuing its deliberations.

The 14-year-old’s naked body was found in an underground water tunnel in the north of the city after having been missing for six days in June 2020.

An inquest into his death at Belfast Coroner’s Court started in January and has heard evidence from 76 witnesses, statements from a further 42 people, and involved maps, video footage, photographs, police logs and expert reports.

A post-mortem examination concluded that the cause of Noah’s death was drowning.

Noah’s mother, Fiona, has been present for every day of the inquest.

Addressing the jury of eight men and two women on Thursday morning, Coroner Judge Rooney reiterated that they must reach their findings based on the evidence they have seen and heard in court.

He reminded jurors that their findings must be unanimously agreed.

He also said there is no pressure of time on their deliberations, and all in court are happy to stay as long as it takes for them to reach their decisions.

The jury is set to be called back into the court room later for an update.