Man Who Stole Noah Donohoe’s Rucksack Says He ‘Never Met or Saw’ Schoolboy

Daryl Paul, who pleaded guilty to stealing Noah Donohoe’s rucksack containing a laptop and schoolbooks, testified at an inquest that he never met or saw the 14-year-old schoolboy.

Paul stated he found the rucksack beside Ulster University on the evening of Noah’s disappearance on 21 June 2020 and insisted he had “nothing to do with the death and disappearance” of Noah.

He denied allegations that he intended to sell the laptop for drug money, though he admitted to lying to police about his intentions during questioning.

Paul also rejected claims that he was in possession of Noah’s missing coat, calling such suggestions “ridiculous.”

Background on Noah Donohoe’s Case

Noah Donohoe, a 14-year-old student at St Malachy’s College, was reported missing after leaving his home on his bicycle to meet friends in the Cavehill area of Belfast on 21 June 2020.

His body was discovered six days later in a storm drain tunnel in north Belfast on 27 June 2020, with a postmortem examination confirming the cause of death as drowning.

The theft of Noah’s personal belongings, including his rucksack, laptop, and clothing, occurred during the period when he was missing.

Paul’s Testimony at the Inquest

During the inquest into Noah’s death, Daryl Paul testified that he was standing on University Street near the Queen’s Quarter housing building when Noah cycled past him shortly after leaving his home on the evening of 21 June 2020.

He emphasized there was no interaction between himself and Noah at any point, describing the theft as opportunistic after finding the abandoned rucksack.

Paul acknowledged he had been dishonest with police during initial questioning, stating: “I have done” when asked if he told lies, and accepting “I was being dishonest” in the police station.

He expressed regret for his dishonesty but maintained he never intended to sell the laptop, despite earlier statements to acquaintances about selling it at Cash Converters to buy drugs.

Claims Regarding Noah’s Possessions

Paul denied possessing Noah’s coat, rejecting evidence from two witnesses who described seeing a similar coat in his possession and calling the suggestion “ridiculous.”

He also disputed claims that he had been trying to sell the laptop from the moment he found it, though a family barrister accused him of telling “lie after lie after lie” about his intentions.

The inquest heard that Maria Nolan testified Paul told her he had a laptop he could sell at Cash Converters to raise money for drugs on 24 June 2020.

Legal Proceedings and Outcome

Prior to the inquest, Paul had pleaded guilty to stealing a rucksack containing Noah’s laptop and schoolbooks.

He was sentenced to three months in jail for the theft, with the judge clarifying that no penalty was imposed in relation to the ownership of the stolen items.

The judge noted Paul’s chaotic lifestyle and substance abuse issues, which had necessitated medical treatment.

Family’s Perspective and Ongoing Impact

Noah’s mother, Fiona Donohoe, has been actively involved in the inquest proceedings, with her legal team questioning Paul about his actions and statements.

The family has faced ongoing distress from rumors and allegations, with Paul stating he and his family had received threats due to untrue rumors about his involvement.

He also criticized the PSNI for failing to gather CCTV evidence from a nearby university on the day Noah went missing, questioning whether it was in the public interest to clear his name.

Conclusion

The inquest into Noah Donohoe’s death continues to examine the circumstances surrounding his disappearance and death, including the handling of his personal belongings.

While Daryl Paul maintains he never encountered Noah and only stole the rucksack opportunistically, questions remain about his intentions with the stolen items and his truthfulness during police investigations.

The case underscores the profound impact of Noah’s death on his family and the community, as efforts continue to understand the full circumstances of this tragedy.