Arabic version: هيئة محلفين ترى أن إخفاقات النفق قد تكون مرتبطة بوفاة نواه دونوهيو

According to BBC News, a jury at the Noah Donohoe inquest found it was possible, but not probable, that Department of Infrastructure failings concerning the tunnel where he was found dead contributed to his death.

The jury found that the department had failed to identify a hazard at the site it maintains and that there was no warning sign. It also identified numerous failings in the Police Service of Northern Ireland investigation, but concluded these did not contribute to the 14-year-old’s death. Thirteen failings related to the PSNI and DfI affected the inquest’s ability to reach conclusions on aspects relevant to his death.

Noah disappeared on 21 June 2020 after leaving his south Belfast home on his bicycle. He was found dead six days later in a water tunnel leading into Belfast Lough, with drowning recorded as the cause of death. The jury found he died between 19:00 BST and midnight on the day he disappeared, in the lower reaches of a culvert.

There was insufficient evidence to explain why Noah behaved as he did after leaving home. The inquest also heard there was no conclusive evidence about why he was without his possessions and clothing, and no evidence of a physical interaction with anyone else during his journey.

Outside Belfast Coroner’s Court, Fiona Donohoe said she had left with “one clear answer” that her son had been failed by the department and police. PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Davy Beck said the outcome was devastating and that there was “no action that police could have taken” that would have prevented Noah’s death. Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins said the department would ensure lessons were learned.