Inquest Hears Noah Donohoe Likely Drowned in Belfast Storm Drain

An inquest into the death of 14-year-old Noah Donohoe has heard it is “incredibly likely” he drowned on the day he disappeared in a storm drain in Belfast, Northern Ireland, in June 2020. The inquest is examining the circumstances surrounding his death and the response of authorities.

Culvert Entrance and Disorientation

Evidence presented to the inquest suggests Noah Donohoe likely entered the culvert through “vertical metal” screen bars. Professor Carolyn Roberts, in a report on hydrological conditions in the Premier Drive stream, stated the culvert’s layout is “relatively complex” and could easily cause disorientation for an unfamiliar person in semi-darkness. BBC News reported on this testimony on April 13, 2026.

Roberts’ report indicated high tide within the culvert occurred between 23:30 BST and midnight on June 21, 2020 – approximately five to six hours after Noah Donohoe was last seen. This timeframe, she stated, would have allowed sufficient time for him to travel several hundred meters along the culvert before drowning.

Concerns Over Public Safety and Culvert Design

Dr. Mark Cooper, a Police Service of Northern Ireland expert advisor, raised concerns about the decision not to install a security screen during the 2017 refurbishment of the Premier Drive stream structure. RTÉ reported on April 29, 2026, that Cooper believes “further inquiries” are needed to understand why the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) discounted the need for such a screen.

During questioning, civil engineer Brian Pope acknowledged the risk of “hindsight bias” when evaluating access to the culvert, given Noah Donohoe’s death. He stated he was unaware of comparable deaths in the UK or Republic of Ireland involving individuals becoming trapped against culvert screens.

Background of the Case

Noah Donohoe was found deceased six days after he went missing on June 21, 2020, even as cycling in north Belfast. A post-mortem examination concluded the cause of death was drowning. Wikipedia details that the circumstances surrounding his disappearance and death, as well as the handling of the police investigation, have led to widespread public concern and an ongoing inquest.

Noah Peter Donohoe was born on November 25, 2005, in Strabane, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. His mother, Fiona, had previously lived in Boston, where she met Emmanuel Djakpa, Noah’s father.

Body Condition Upon Recovery

Reports indicate Noah Donohoe’s body was “badly contaminated” when recovered from the underground water tunnel. Further details regarding the contamination have not been released.