Northern Ireland

PSNI urged to investigate report prisoner claimed involvement in Noah Donohoe death

Supporters gather outside Laganside Courts in Belfast in April ahead of a pre-inquest review hearing for 14-year-old Noah Donohoe, who was found dead in a storm drain in north Belfast in June 2020
Supporters gather outside Laganside Courts in Belfast in April ahead of a pre-inquest review hearing for 14-year-old Noah Donohoe, who was found dead in a storm drain in north Belfast in June 2020 Supporters gather outside Laganside Courts in Belfast in April ahead of a pre-inquest review hearing for 14-year-old Noah Donohoe, who was found dead in a storm drain in north Belfast in June 2020

POLITICIANS have called on police to investigate a report that a prisoner has claimed involvement in the death of schoolboy Noah Donohoe.

The claim was published in the Sunday World in a story to mark the anniversary of the 14-year-old's disappearance and death.

Noah was found in a north Belfast storm drain last June six days after he was reported missing by his family.

The mother of the St Malachy's College pupil has maintained a high-profile campaign in the year since his death.

A post-mortem examination found the teenager had died as a result of drowning, with the coroner Joe McCrisken saying there is currently "no evidence" to suggest that any other person was involved in the tragedy.

The PSNI has been investigating how access was gained to the storm drain where Noah was found.

UUP leader Doug Beattie said he will be writing to PSNI chief constable Simon Byrne to ask him to look into the claim which the Sunday World said was made a month ago, saying it is "important... for the family and for public confidence".

North Belfast MP John Finucane said the story raises "serious concerns about the investigation into Noah's death" and called for it to be investigated "immediately".

SDLP education spokesman Daniel McCrossan said he will also be writing to Mr Byrne asking for it to be "fully investigated" and for a briefing on the police inquiry into the teenager's death.

A police spokesman said: "The disappearance and death of Noah Donohoe is subject to an ongoing Coronial investigation. The Police Service of Northern Ireland is conducting the investigation on the behalf of the Coroner, so it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time."