The inquest into the death of 14-year-old Belfast schoolboy Noah Donohoe has heard emotional testimony from his mother Fiona Donohoe, who described finding her son crying in his bedroom the day he disappeared and making a frantic 999 call to police after he failed to return home. The hearing at Laganside Courthouse in January 2026 has brought fresh details about Noah’s state of mind and behaviour in the hours leading up to his disappearance on June 25, 2020, painting a picture of a teenager acting in ways described as “out of character” by those closest to him.

Fiona Donohoe told the inquest she noticed Noah was upset that afternoon. He had gone into his room and closed the door. When she checked on him, she found him crying. Concerned, she spoke to him gently, but he did not disclose what was troubling him. Later that evening Noah left the family apartment on Fitzroy Avenue on his bicycle, telling his mother he was going to meet friends in the Cavehill area. He wore his usual cycling helmet and carried a backpack. Fiona said his departure seemed normal at the time, though she later reflected that something felt different about his mood.

When Noah did not return home as expected, Fiona grew increasingly worried. She contacted friends and family, then called 999 to report him missing. The inquest played a recording of that call, in which Fiona’s voice is heard trembling as she gave Noah’s description, his route, and expressed fear that something had happened to him. She told the operator her son was a “good boy” who never stayed out late without letting her know. The call captured the raw panic of a parent facing the unthinkable.

Friends and classmates who gave evidence described Noah as exceptionally bright, sociable and humorous. Charlie Rocks, Noah’s closest friend, said he was “the nicest, friendliest, funniest person” and “the smartest kid, always asking questions.” Rocks noted Noah had become more eccentric during adolescence and lockdown, but nothing suggested serious distress. Noah had once mentioned feeling “blue,” yet he had also begun opening up more about his emotions, which Rocks saw as a positive sign. The two friends frequently discussed girls, shared book recommendations (Noah suggested Jordan Peterson’s 12 Rules for Life), and maintained a close bond. Rocks was unaware Noah sometimes stayed overnight alone at the Belfast apartment and confirmed Noah identified as straight based on their conversations.

CCTV footage shown to the jury captured Noah cycling through Belfast city centre and heading north. Motorist Donna Blain reported seeing him fall from his bike on North Queen Street. He appeared embarrassed, looked around, lifted the bike, left his coat on the ground, and continued riding. The most disturbing clip—the last confirmed sighting—shows Noah pedalling completely naked. This behaviour was described by witnesses and family as completely out of character. No explanation has emerged for why he removed all his clothing.

Noah’s body was found six days later in a storm drain in the Duncairn Gardens area of north Belfast. The grim discovery intensified public scrutiny over the initial search efforts, perceived delays in releasing evidence, and gaps in CCTV coverage. Fiona Donohoe has campaigned tirelessly for transparency, establishing The Noah Donohoe Foundation to advocate for better mental health support for young people and improved child safety protocols.

The inquest continues to examine possible contributing factors. Fiona expressed concern about Noah’s mental health that day, noting he had been crying in his room. The jury has heard there were no obvious signs of self-harm intent or substance use, but the “out-of-character” actions—leaving his coat, cycling naked—remain unexplained. The coroner has appealed for any additional information about Noah’s movements, belongings, or possible earlier outings that day.

Testimony has also highlighted the broader context of lockdown life in 2020. Noah and his friends spent much time indoors, communicating online and discussing future plans with excitement. Yet the isolation, combined with adolescent pressures, may have affected him more than he let on. Rocks said Noah never expressed fascination with storm drains, tunnels or underground spaces; if he had, he would have shared it openly during their frequent conversations.

The nine-man, two-woman jury faces the difficult task of determining how Noah came by his death—whether by misadventure, accident, or another cause—while considering fragmented CCTV, the storm drain’s accessibility, witness statements, and investigative timelines. Proceedings are expected to run into March 2026, with further expert evidence on the drainage system and additional witnesses still to appear.

For Fiona Donohoe and supporters, the inquest represents a chance for answers after years of grief and unanswered questions. Noah is remembered by those who knew him as intelligent, kind, curious and full of life—a boy whose sudden, unexplained actions in his final hours continue to haunt a city seeking closure. The mother’s 999 call and the detail of her son crying alone in his bedroom stand as poignant reminders of the private pain behind a very public tragedy, and of the urgent need to understand what led a bright teenager to vanish into the night.