Latest news with #NoahDonohoe
Irish Times
14 hours ago
- Irish Times
Investigative journalist Donal MacIntyre to be asked to help Noah Donohoe inquest
Investigative journalist Donal MacIntyre will be asked to provide assistance to the inquest into the death of Belfast schoolboy Noah Donohoe. A coroner told a court on Tuesday he expects the long-awaited proceedings to begin in November. Noah (14) was found dead in a storm drain in north Belfast in June 2020, six days after he went missing as he cycled to meet friends. Coroner Mr Justice Rooney is presiding over the inquest into the death of the boy, who was a pupil at St Malachy's College. READ MORE Fiona Donohoe, mother of Noah Donohoe, outside the Royal Courts of Justice in Belfast, on Tuesday. Photograph: Liam McBurney/PA Wire Noah's mother, Fiona Donohoe, who was in attendance for the hearing, is hoping to get answers to some of her questions surrounding the death of her son through the inquest process. At the preliminary hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice in Belfast, counsel to the coroner, Peter Coll KC, updated the court on applications for PIP (properly interested person) status from two participants. He also updated the court in relation to expert evidence, CCTV evidence and the disclosure of police information. Mr Coll then addressed the court about the 'Donal MacIntyre materials'. The reporter, known for his undercover TV investigations, has been looking into Noah's disappearance. His investigation has been funded by online donations. Noah Donohoe was found dead in a storm drain in north Belfast in June 2020, six days after he went missing. Photograph: Family handout/PA Mr Coll said there had already been correspondence with Mr MacIntyre in relation to 'certain materials which relate to his investigation'. He suggested further correspondence be sent to the journalist to set out 'why it is felt he may be in a position to assist the inquest'. 'To date, Mr MacIntyre has been very helpful and he has voluntarily provided material to the inquest,' he said. 'We just have to continue to explore with him to how that might be further developed.' Brenda Campbell KC, representing Ms Donohoe, said her client is 'very grateful to Mr MacIntyre for the assistance he has given the inquest and material he has given the inquest so far'. 'She is keen to make sure Noah's inquest proceedings are the fullest possible exploration of all the evidence and for that reason, she is grateful to Mr MacIntyre for the assistance he has given,' she added. 'If he can give further assistance in relation to any aspect of the evidence, then of course she would encourage him to do so.' The court was also updated on correspondence with Meta's UK lawyers about accessing information on Noah's Instagram account. Mr Coll said efforts are still ongoing in this regard. He said a court order may have to be served on Meta in the US. Mr Justice Rooney said: 'I am concerned that a court order will be ignored. Hopefully that won't be the case.' The inquest, which will be heard by a jury, has suffered a number of delays. However, Mr Justice Rooney said he believes it is now on course to begin on November 3rd. The next preliminary hearing is scheduled for September 9th. - PA
The Independent
17 hours ago
- The Independent
Donal MacIntyre to be asked to help Noah Donohoe inquest
Investigative journalist Donal MacIntyre is to be asked to provide assistance to the inquest into the death of Belfast schoolboy Noah Donohoe. A coroner told a court on Tuesday he expects the long-awaited proceedings to begin in November. Noah, 14, was found dead in a storm drain in north Belfast in June 2020 – six days after he went missing as he cycled to meet friends. Coroner Mr Justice Rooney is presiding over the inquest for the St Malachy's College pupil. Noah's mother, Fiona Donohoe, who was in attendance for the hearing, is hoping to get answers to some of her questions surrounding the death of her son through the inquest process. At the preliminary hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice in Belfast, counsel to the coroner Peter Coll KC updated the court on applications for PIP (properly interested person) status from two participants and on expert and CCTV evidence and the disclosure of police information. Mr Coll then addressed the court about the 'Donal MacIntyre materials'. The reporter, known for his undercover TV investigations, has been probing the disappearance of Noah. His investigation has been funded by online donations. Mr Coll said there had already been correspondence with MacIntyre in relation to 'certain materials which relate to his investigation'. He suggested further correspondence be sent to the journalist to set out 'why it is felt he may be in a position to assist the inquest'. The barrister said: 'To date Mr MacIntyre has been very helpful and he has voluntarily provided material to the inquest. 'We just have to continue to explore with him to how that might be further developed.' Brenda Campbell KC, representing Ms Donohoe, said her client is 'very grateful to Mr MacIntyre for the assistance he has given the inquest and material he has given the inquest so far'. She added: 'She is keen to make sure Noah's inquest proceedings are the fullest possible exploration of all the evidence and for that reason she is grateful to Mr MacIntyre for the assistance he has given. 'If he can give further assistance in relation to any aspect of the evidence, then of course she would encourage him to do so. 'On her behalf we will engage with your counsel in correspondence with him.' The court was also updated on correspondence with Meta's UK lawyers about accessing information on Noah's Instagram account. Mr Coll said efforts are still ongoing in this regard. He said a court order may have to be served on Meta in the United States. Mr Justice Rooney said: 'I am concerned that a court order will be ignored, hopefully that won't be the case.' The inquest, which will be heard by a jury, has suffered a number of delays. However, Mr Justice Rooney said he believes it is now on course to begin on November 3. The next preliminary hearing is scheduled for September 9.
BreakingNews.ie
23-05-2025
- BreakingNews.ie
Coroner seeking Noah Donohoe Instagram messages to send Meta court order
A coroner investigating the death of Belfast schoolboy Noah Donohoe is to send a court order to Meta in a bid to access private messages in the late teenager's Instagram account. Noah, 14, was found dead in a storm drain in north Belfast in June 2020 – six days after he went missing as he cycled to meet friends. Advertisement Coroner Mr Justice Rooney is presiding over the inquest for the St Malachy's College pupil. Fiona Donohoe and her son Noah. Photo: Family Handout/PA. Noah's mother, Fiona Donohoe, is hoping to get answers to some of her questions surrounding the death of her son through the inquest process. At a preliminary hearing in Belfast on Friday, counsel to the coroner Peter Coll KC updated the court on correspondence with Meta about accessing information on Noah's Instagram account. Mr Coll said there were two levels of access. He said Meta would provide certain data from the account to Noah's next of kin if it was given relevant documents, such as a death certificate. But the barrister said Meta had advised the coroner that in order to secure private Instagram messages, a court order would be required. Advertisement Mr Coll made clear that Meta had not indicated whether or not there were any private messages in the account. The barrister said the process to secure access to any messages that may exist may not be 'straightforward', given Meta was based outside the court's jurisdiction. But he said that the letter from the US social media company indicated a willingness to engage positively on the issue. 'There is at least a strong possibility that they would, if content with the format and the content of the draft order, that they would seek to comply with it, even if it was not something that could be strictly enforced against them,' he said. Advertisement 'So hopefully that may provide a way forward.' Brenda Campbell KC, representing Ms Donohoe, agreed that a court order should be drafted. Donohoe family barrister Brenda Campbell KC agreed that a court order should be drafted. Photo: Liam McBurney/PA. 'The aim should be to get the fullest information by way of a court order,' she said. 'And the letter (from Meta) certainly leaves open the possibility of co-operation with the matter, notwithstanding that they are out of the jurisdiction.' Advertisement Mr Coll cautioned that it had taken some time for Meta to respond to initial correspondence from the coroner. He added: 'We're slightly in their hands, and it did take quite a period of time, but, in fairness, the response that has come has been helpful, and represents significant engagements on the part of Meta, and that's to be welcomed.' Mr Justice Rooney told legal representatives that a draft order would be prepared by Tuesday of next week for them to review. The next preliminary hearing was scheduled for June 17. Advertisement
