The mother of schoolboy Noah Donohoe who was found dead in a storm drain has said he gave her a lifetime of love in his 14 years, his funeral has heard.
The tribute from Fiona Donohoe about her son Noah was relayed by a priest during his Requiem Mass this morning.
The teenager’s body was found on Saturday June 27, six days after he went missing in north Belfast.
Police believe he might have sustained a head injury after falling off his bicycle and could have been disorientated when he entered the drain.
The search for the 14-year-old brought together hundreds of people from across the city and beyond, uniting both sides of the community in a common purpose.
The private funeral service took place at St Patrick’s Church in Belfast. The homily of Fr Michael McGinnity was circulated to the wider public by the church.
“Growing up in Belfast, Noah met life with a sense of wonder at everything around him and in him,” Fr McGinnity said.
“He had a natural curiosity about life. Every day he wanted to know more about the world and his place in it. Noah was the kind of boy who was just full of the joy of living.
“Whether he was on the basketball court or playing his cello or just having fun with friends, he savoured every moment.
Noah Donohoe’s family had encouraged people to gather outside his school, St Malachy’s, as the cortége would stop there following Requiem Mass. Picture by Niall Carson, PA
“He was passionate about everything he turned his hand to. And he wanted everyone to share that passion with him.
“So much has been written and said about Noah that has touched the hearts of everyone in this city.
“But what has stayed with me are the words of Fiona when she spoke to me last Sunday night. She said: ‘I have been so blessed. Noah was a beautiful soul with a beautiful mind. He poured a whole lifetime of love into my life in 14 short years.’
“What a wonderful tribute from a mother to her son who is such a godsend to her.”
Noah’s family had encouraged people to gather outside his school, nearby St Malachy’s in north Belfast, as the cortége was due to pass by following Mass. The crowd gathered outside the school applauded as the funeral procession travelled along Antrim Road to the school, flanked by Community Search and Rescue motorcyclists. Balloons were also released.
People who had gathered close to nearby St Patrick's Church had also applauded minutes earlier.
Crowds lining the street for the funeral of Belfast schoolboy Noah Donohoe break into applause as the cortege, flanked by Community Search and Rescue motorbikes, makes its way to St Malachy's College.@irish_news pic.twitter.com/GqBJVaH9Q2
— Brendan Hughes (@brendanhughes64) July 1, 2020
'Noah had so much potential in everything he did.'
— Brendan Hughes (@brendanhughes64) July 1, 2020
The full homily for Belfast schoolboy Noah Donohoe's Requiem Mass, which is taking place at St Patrick's Church on Donegall Street https://t.co/mVNDuzM2hq @irish_news pic.twitter.com/nkytt3JWQh
