The inquest into the death of Belfast teenager Noah Donohoe has entered its second week, with the court hearing deeply emotional and disturbing testimony from witnesses who reported seeing a naked cyclist shortly before the 14-year-old disappeared in June 2020.
Proceedings at Belfast Coroner’s Court continue to attract significant public attention as investigators attempt to establish the sequence of events leading to Noah’s death. The teenager’s body was discovered in a storm water culvert in north Belfast six days after he left his home to cycle to meet friends near Cavehill.
Noah’s death has remained a source of ongoing public concern, with his family continuing to seek answers about his final movements and the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
Witness Initially Thought Naked Cyclist Was a Joke
The court heard testimony from Kerry Fraser, who was staying at her partner’s home on Northwood Road on the evening Noah disappeared. In a written statement read aloud during proceedings, Fraser described seeing a completely naked male riding a bicycle past the property.
“He was totally naked,” Fraser stated. “I believed it was someone who had been drinking too much on Father’s Day and was playing a prank.”
Fraser described the cyclist as tall, with an afro hairstyle, and appearing to be Black. She told the court that the individual appeared calm and was riding normally, though moving quickly along the street.
She explained that she briefly attempted to look more closely from a window but lost sight of the cyclist within moments. At the time, she believed the individual had entered a nearby property and did not immediately consider the incident suspicious.
Clothing and Bicycle Discovered Nearby
Fraser later reported noticing discarded clothing along the street, including grey shorts and white boxer shorts lying on the road. She also observed a jumper thrown over a wall and a pair of trainers positioned neatly beside it.
Further along the cul-de-sac, she noticed a bicycle abandoned on the ground with no sign of the rider.
After later learning about Noah’s disappearance through public appeals, Fraser realised the potential significance of her observations. She encouraged her son to contact police and confirmed she had briefly posted about the incident on social media before removing the post following contact from Noah’s family.
Second Witness Alerted Police About Abandoned Bicycle
Earlier testimony was provided by Northwood Road resident Karen Crooks, who told the court she discovered a mountain bike outside her home on the same evening.
Crooks initially believed the bicycle belonged to someone nearby. However, when it remained in the same location the following night, she became concerned.
“I recognised the bike matched descriptions shared online regarding Noah’s disappearance,” Crooks told the court. She then contacted the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).
The court heard Crooks’ report marked the first police notification connected to activity in the Northwood Road area, helping investigators identify it as the last confirmed location where Noah was seen.
Questions Surround Access to Storm Culvert
During questioning by legal representatives, Crooks confirmed that a nearby wasteland area containing the storm water culvert where Noah’s body was later discovered could be accessed through a side gate on her property.
The court was told the culvert was located within a park surrounded by a 1.8-metre metal fence, meaning alternative access would likely involve trespassing through private land.
Crooks also described metal bars positioned at the culvert entrance, known as a debris screen. She told the court her young son was physically small enough to fit between the bars, although he had never entered the tunnel.
Police Inquiry Examines Gate Access
PSNI representative barrister Donal Lunny questioned Crooks about whether gates leading to her driveway and garden were open on the night Noah disappeared.
While she could not provide complete certainty, Crooks stated that the gates were normally kept closed because she owned two dogs. She agreed that someone attempting to enter the property would most likely have needed to open the gates.
Family Raises Safety Concerns About Culvert
Brenda Campbell KC, representing Noah’s mother Fiona Donohoe, questioned Crooks regarding public awareness of safety risks around the culvert before the incident.
Crooks stated she had never received any warning about potential dangers and was unaware that the hatch covering the storm drain was unsecured.
“After Noah disappeared, that was the first time the risks were brought to my attention,” she told the court.
Crooks also said she later called for improved safety measures around storm drains in residential areas. She claimed the Department of Infrastructure had never contacted her to discuss safety concerns or provide guidance regarding the site.
Noah’s Mother Attends Emotional Proceedings
Noah’s mother, Fiona Donohoe, has attended every day of the inquest, listening to testimony detailing her son’s final known movements. The case continues to raise difficult questions about public safety, communication between authorities, and whether preventive measures could have avoided the tragedy.
Inquest Set to Continue
The inquest is expected to resume next week, with additional witnesses and expert testimony scheduled to appear. The court aims to establish a clearer timeline of Noah’s disappearance and determine whether any systemic failures contributed to his death.
