Quick Read
- Jury selection for the inquest into Noah Donohoe’s death has entered its third day in Belfast.
- The 14-year-old’s body was found in a storm drain in June 2020, six days after he went missing.
- A post-mortem examination concluded that Noah Donohoe’s death was due to drowning.
- Noah’s mother, Fiona Donohoe, has attended the jury selection proceedings.
- The inquest aims to determine the circumstances of how, when, and where Noah Donohoe died.
BELFAST (Azat TV) – The long-awaited inquest into the death of Belfast schoolboy Noah Donohoe has entered its third day of jury selection at Laganside Court, marking a significant step toward a full hearing that will scrutinize the circumstances surrounding his tragic passing in June 2020. The ongoing process signals renewed public and political attention on a case that has captivated Northern Ireland for years.
The selection of the eleven-person jury began on Monday, January 26, 2026. Initially, nearly one hundred potential jurors were under consideration. However, Mr Justice Rooney, the coroner overseeing the inquest, has since excused several dozen individuals, reducing the pool as efforts continue in private to finalize the panel. Once selected, the jury will be presented with the opening details of the case, which aims to determine how, when, and where Noah Donohoe died.
Noah Donohoe Inquest Jury Selection Underway
The decision to grant a jury for the inquest followed an application made by Noah’s family during pre-inquest proceedings, underscoring the family’s persistent pursuit of answers. The presence of Noah’s mother, Fiona Donohoe, at Laganside Court on Tuesday for the second day of the selection process highlighted the deeply personal stakes involved for those closest to the case.
The inquest is set to delve into the specifics of the 14-year-old’s disappearance and subsequent discovery. Noah Donohoe was last seen cycling towards the Shore Road in north Belfast from his home in Fitzroy Avenue, south Belfast, on the afternoon of June 21, 2020. His last reported sighting occurred around 6:00 PM BST that evening.
The Disappearance of Noah Donohoe
Six days later, on June 27, 2020, Noah’s body was tragically discovered downstream in a storm drain in north Belfast. A post-mortem examination later confirmed that his death was due to drowning. The intervening days between his disappearance and discovery sparked extensive search efforts and widespread concern across the community.
The inquest’s primary objective is not to determine criminal liability but to establish the facts surrounding Noah’s death. This includes examining the sequence of events, police investigations, and other relevant information that could shed light on the circumstances. The family’s steadfast advocacy has kept the case in the public eye, pushing for a thorough and transparent examination of all available evidence.
Family’s Pursuit of Answers
The continuation of jury selection into a third day, as reported by AOL.com, indicates the meticulous and careful approach being taken to ensure a fair and impartial hearing. The complexity of the case, combined with significant public interest, necessitates a rigorous process to select jurors capable of impartially assessing the evidence presented.
The protracted jury selection process for Noah Donohoe’s inquest underscores the profound public interest and the legal system’s commitment to a thorough examination in high-profile cases, reflecting the complexities inherent in seeking clarity for a community demanding answers.