Northern Ireland

Noah Donohoe: Belfast schoolboy's funeral to be held

Noah Donohoe (14)
Noah Donohoe (14) Noah Donohoe (14)

THE funeral of Belfast schoolboy Noah Donohoe will take place later today.

The 14-year-old's body was found in a storm drain on Saturday, almost a week after he went missing near the Shore Road in the north of the city.

His disappearance prompted an intensive search operation by police and community rescue teams.

Hundreds of volunteers also came forward to help find the teenager in a huge cross-community response.

Noah's funeral will take place at 11am at St Patrick's Church, Donegall Street. It is strictly private due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Following the service the cortege will visit his school, St Malachy's College, where floral tributes have covered the gates in memory of the Year 10 pupil.

His family said the school was "a place he loved and where he was loved".

They invited members of the public wishing to pay their respects to line the route from St Patrick's to St Malachy's.

In a funeral notice, his family said: "Noah's beautiful pure young soul fills the hearts of his mother Fiona, his aunts Niamh and Shona and their beautiful children and his uncle Gearoid.

"He comforts his grandparents Margot, Gerry and Linda and his beautiful strong friends. He will be safe in the hugs of his aunt Siobhan in heaven."

They added: "Noah's love was great enough to reach the selfless hearts of north Belfast and beyond as they showed overwhelming compassion and empathy in bringing Noah home.

"Love has no boundaries."

Noah left his home in the Ormeau Road area of south Belfast on Sunday June 21 and was last seen after 6pm on Northwood Road off Shore Road.

It is believed that during the journey he had fallen off his bicycle and sustained a head injury, leaving him disoriented.

Police said they do not believe there was any foul play in his death.

The tragedy has been described by a senior PSNI officer as one of the most unusual missing-person cases in his 30-year career.

On Sunday the family released an emotional statement thanking people for their support.

They described the special relationship Noah had with his mother Fiona, who is originally from Strabane in Co Tyrone.

"From walking with us, both physically and spiritually, to feeling our pain, we recognise that everyone has lost Noah," they said.

"Noah's mummy always told him that he would change the world. He was very special. It is very hard to do justice or honour the extraordinary relationship Noah and his mummy shared.

"In his 14 years his mummy got so much from their special bond – he taught his mummy so much. They were each other's world", they said.