Pacemaker PressThe inquest into the death of the Belfast schoolboy Noah Donohoe has heard details of a harrowing phone call from his mother to the police on the evening of his disappearance.
The body of the 14-year-old was found in a storm drain in north Belfast on 27 June 2020, six days after he went missing.
A post-mortem examination found that his death was due to drowning.
Noah was a pupil at St Malachy’s College on the Antrim Road.
The call began with Noah’s mother, Fiona Donohoe, telling a police handler: “My son is 14, he has not come home yet.”
She then went on to plead for help in trying to find him and explained that she was worried about his welfare, adding Noah “has not been himself at all over the past week”.
She added: “I’m concerned for his safety.”
She also said: “He’s been up and down.”
Pacemaker Press‘My instinct is telling me it’s not right’
She also described how her son had a book entitled 12 Rules for Life by the author Jordan Peterson and “he hasn’t taken it out of his hands”.
Noah’s mother went on to explain how her son had been doing things he wouldn’t normally do to help her that week, and how she also received “massive hugs” from him.
She also told the police handler how she was concerned that he hadn’t returned home saying: “My instinct is telling me it’s not right.”
Fiona Donohoe said she was “extremely concerned” about her son’s mental health that week, and she had sought counselling for him.
The call lasted for about 25 and a half minutes, and Noah’s mother sounded distressed as she gave details about her missing son.
Towards the conclusion of the call, she told the handler how her son was “a good soul” who never gave her any bother.
When the call handler assured her that a police crew would look for Noah, Fiona Donohoe said: “Thank you so much”.
Pacemaker PressJury sworn in
Earlier on Thursday, a jury of 11 members – nine men and two women – as well as four reserves were sworn in.
The jury selection process began in private on Monday under the direction of the coroner Mr Justice Rooney.
About 100 members of the public were in court for consideration as potential jury members at the beginning of a protracted and thorough process.
The number was eventually reduced to 23 people, and then after one further excusal, 22.
The 11 jury members were then drawn by ballot from the group of 22.
Fiona Donohoe watched on as the jury members were sworn in individually.
Mr Justice Rooney told the members of the jury it “is a very difficult day for her”.
He said she had to wait some time for the inquest to begin and the coroner then gave a brief overview of the schoolboy’s disappearance and death.
He also warned the jury members that they must reached a verdict based only on the evidence they hear at the inquest.
The inquest is continuing.
What happened to Noah Donohoe?
Noah disappeared after cycling to the Shore Road in north Belfast from his home at Fitzroy Avenue in south Belfast in the afternoon of 21 June 2020.
The last reported sighting of him was at around 18:00 BST that evening.
Noah’s disappearance prompted a major search operation with hundreds of people from across Belfast involved.
His body was found downstream in a storm drain on 27 June.
His mother has led a high-profile campaign for answers around her son’s death.
She is being supported by family members, and her solicitor Niall Murphy.
Her counsel, Brenda Campbell KC, told a preliminary hearing last year that Ms Donohoe wanted a “full and fearless” inquest into her son’s death.
