When Noah Donohoe, a 14‑year‑old pupil at Our Lady's Grammar School, vanished on the night of 5 June 2019, his family and a grieving city were thrust into a nightmare that still feels raw five years later.
He left his family home in the Shankill area of Belfast around 9:30 PM to visit a friend, only to be captured on CCTV for the last time on Ravenhill Road at 9:30 PM. Six days later, on 11 June, his body was recovered from a culvert beneath the M1 motorway near Sprucefield, Lisburn – roughly ten miles from where he was last seen.
Background and Disappearance
The night of his disappearance was typical for a teenager: a quick hop to a mate’s house after school, a text to his mother saying, “On my way back now,” sent at 9:17 PM from his Vodafone handset. PSNI detectives later pieced together a patchwork of CCTV clips, mobile‑phone pings and eyewitness accounts, but a crucial gap persists – what happened between Ravenhill Road and the Lisburn culvert?
Authorities say the area around Lisburn was cordoned off for a specialized recovery operation involving the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service. The discovery of his schoolbag in a waste container on Albertbridge Road the following morning added another baffling layer.
Investigation Milestones
Lead investigator Detective Chief Inspector John McVea of the Serious Crime Branch oversaw a massive evidence‑gathering effort. By June 2024 the police had logged 284 officers, taken 1,872 statements, examined 3,419 exhibits and parsed roughly 1.2 million lines of digital data. The force reviewed 378 hours of CCTV from 142 cameras across Belfast and Lisburn, and analysed 47 vehicles and 15 mobile‑phone network cells within three miles of the last known sighting.
Assistant Chief Constable Alan McQuillan briefed the media on 4 June 2024, admitting, “Significant gaps remain in the timeline of Noah’s movements between 9:30 PM on June 5 and his discovery on June 11, particularly regarding his potential association with individuals seen in the Ravenhill Road area.”
Coroner Joe McCrisken confirmed the cause of death as drowning after a post‑mortem by Home Office pathologist Dr Richard Jones. Toxicology reports showed no alcohol or drugs in Noah’s system.
Family’s "Justice for Noah" Campaign
Paul and Margaret Donohoe, Noah’s parents, turned grief into activism. In June 2019 they launched the “Justice for Noah” campaign, registering it as a non‑profit (company number NI649281). The movement has organized twelve vigils, the first anniversary drawing more than 1,200 mourners to Belfast City Hall.
At a memorial on 5 June 2024, Margaret said, “We know Noah was with someone that night—we saw the CCTV footage. Why won’t those people come forward after five years?” Paul echoed the sentiment, describing five years of sleepless nights and unanswered questions.
The campaign has also secured political backing. Fourteen MLAs, from Sinn Féin’s Máirtín Ó Muilleoir to DUP’s Paula Bradley, have tabled an Early Day Motion (1847) urging a thorough inquest and additional resources.
Unresolved Questions and Upcoming Inquest
On 28 November 2023 the coroner’s pre‑inquest review outlined three core mysteries that still need answers:
- Noah’s exact route between Ravenhill Road and Sprucefield.
- The identity of individuals captured on CCTV at 9:42 PM on June 5.
- How his schoolbag ended up in a waste container on Albertbridge Road on 6 June.
The full inquest is slated to begin on 17 March 2025, with a three‑week hearing at Belfast Coroners’ Court, 19‑21 Linenhall Street. Legal representation for the family will be provided by barrister Niall Murphy of Madden & Finucane Solicitors.
While the Northern Ireland Public Prosecution Service concluded in October 2022 that there was insufficient evidence for criminal charges, the family remains determined that “the truth won’t stay hidden forever,” according to Paul Donohoe.
Wider Impact on Youth Safety Policies
The case sparked the launch of “Project Guardian” in January 2020 – a £2.1 million initiative aimed at improving safety in 47 Belfast schools. Funding of £85 000 was allocated by the Department of Justice for Northern Ireland in April 2024 to fund further forensic analysis, underscoring the case’s lasting resonance.
Community groups argue that the tragedy highlights systemic gaps in how missing‑children cases are handled, especially when the victims are teenagers who move independently after school. The PSNI’s own Ombudsman review in March 2020 flagged procedural delays but found no misconduct.
Key Facts
- Noah Donohoe – 14‑year‑old student, disappeared 5 June 2019.
- Last seen on CCTV at 9:30 PM on Ravenhill Road, Belfast.
- Body recovered 11 June 2019 in a culvert under the M1 near Lisburn.
- Inquest scheduled for 17 March 2025.
- Family’s “Justice for Noah” campaign has held 12 vigils, drawing over 1,200 attendees at its first anniversary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What led to the discovery of Noah Donohoe’s body?
After a massive search operation, specialized recovery teams from the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service located the body in a culvert beneath the M1 motorway near Sprucefield, Lisburn, on 11 June 2019. The location was identified using a combination of CCTV analysis and ground‑search data.
Who are the key investigators in the case?
The investigation is led by Detective Chief Inspector John McVea of the PSNI’s Serious Crime Branch, with regular updates from Assistant Chief Constable Alan McQuillan. Barrister Niall Murphy represents the Donohoe family during the upcoming inquest.
Why has the inquest been delayed until 2025?
The coroner’s pre‑inquest review in November 2023 highlighted extensive gaps in the timeline and evidence, necessitating further forensic work and additional witness statements. The court set a provisional date of 17 March 2025 to allow all parties to prepare thoroughly.
What impact has the case had on youth‑safety initiatives?
The tragedy directly inspired the PSNI’s "Project Guardian" programme, a £2.1 million effort launched in 2020 to improve safety protocols in 47 Belfast schools. Additional funding of £85 000 was granted in 2024 for deeper forensic analysis, reflecting ongoing policy attention.
How has the community responded to the "Justice for Noah" campaign?
The campaign has become a rallying point for families of missing children across Northern Ireland. It has organized twelve public vigils, amassed support from fourteen MLAs, and keeps pressure on authorities to resolve the unanswered questions.