A crowdfunding campaign for an investigative documentary on the death of Belfast teenager Noah Donohoe has surpassed its target of £150,000.
Led by Dublin-based journalist Donal MacIntyre at the request of Noah’s mother Fiona Donohoe, just over £157,000 has been raised for the project in four weeks.
A high-profile team of experts has now been assembled, including the former Detective Chief Inspector Clive Driscoll who solved the Stephen Lawrence case, Scotland Yard Detective Andy Crocker and Professor Emeritus of Criminology, David Wilson.
The team will now get to work on carrying out new forensic testing and re-examinations of evidence.
Mr MacIntyre has praised the grassroots activism shown by many who contributed to the fundraiser through organising raffles, live music events and donation boxes.
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One local artist created and raffled a stained glass window with images of Noah, while the Mount Eagles Hair and Beauty salon raised £3,250 by staging a live music event.
Another supporter donated £1,000 after selling homemade keyrings featuring Noah’s face.
“Our investigative team are extremely humbled by the groundswell of support for this campaign, with donations as small as a pound and as much as £5,000,” said Mr MacIntyre.
“It is a testament to the public's demand for independent and objective journalism as much as huge concern over the circumstances surrounding Noah Donohoe's death, aged just 14, in a storm drain in Belfast in the summer of 2020."
When broadcasters were found wanting - you the public stood up to be counted, filled the gap to fund the competition of our investigation- savour the moment- your success and know we are already working for you in Noah’s name.Well done! #noahsarmy #justicefornoahdonohoe #belfast pic.twitter.com/kd9ZZ6jpFH
— donalmacintyre (@donalmacintyre) July 30, 2023
“We remain ever grateful to the support and encouragement given by Noah's family, friends and supporters and we look forward to completing our investigation and to bringing it into the public domain after the inquest.”
The formal inquest was due to start last year, but has been delayed over issues relating to CCTV footage around Noah's home and forensic toxicology reports.
A recent major development in the case had emerged when CCTV footage showed Noah leaving his home in the pouring rain at 3.30am on the day he disappeared.
It was reported he was wearing a T-shirt, shorts, flip-flops and carrying headphones.
Returning home by 4.05am, he appears to be soaking wet and without his headphones or flip-flops.
The footage had only been shared with Ms Donohoe’s solicitors two years after her son’s disappearance.
On the day of his disappearance, Noah left his home again at 5.30pm to cycle to the north of the city, where he had been spotted naked on his bike.
Ms Donohoe has previously said she has no idea why her son would have left their apartment in the early hours, but had speculated on whether he could have been involved in some form of county lines activity – a term referring to criminal gangs using children to deliver drugs.
