Northern Ireland

Family of Nóra Quoirin challenge inquest ruling

Nóra Quoirin went missing in the jungle while on a family holiday in 2019. Picture by Lucie Blackman Trust/Family handout/PA Wire
Nóra Quoirin went missing in the jungle while on a family holiday in 2019. Picture by Lucie Blackman Trust/Family handout/PA Wire Nóra Quoirin went missing in the jungle while on a family holiday in 2019. Picture by Lucie Blackman Trust/Family handout/PA Wire

THE family of Nóra Quoirin have lodged a legal challenge against the inquest ruling into their daughter's death in Malaysia.

An application challenging the coroner's finding that the teenager died by misadventure after disappearing while on holiday has been lodged by lawyers.

A coroner last month ruled that the 15-year-old's death in 2019 was accidental rather than a crime.

Nóra disappeared at the Dusun eco-resort in southern Negeri Sembilan state, a day after her family arrived for a holiday.

After an extensive search, her body was found 10 days later beside a stream on a palm oil estate around 1.6 miles away.

Police believed she climbed out of the cottage window on her own, with no evidence of any foul play.

A coroner ruled that her death was most likely due to misadventure.

But Nóra's parents believe she was kidnapped because she had mental and physical disabilities and would not have wandered off on her own.

Her mother Meabh Quoirin, who is originally from Belfast, last month said the inquest last year had brought up more unanswered questions.

She said evidence at the hearing had "strengthened our case" that Nóra, who was born with a very rare genetic condition leading to cognitive difficulties, was abducted.

The family also branded the official findings as "incomplete".

RTÉ reported that lawyers representing the family have now filed an application challenging the inquest ruling and want it revised in the High Court.