Noah Donohoe: Sinn Fein and Department of Infrastructure face questions over storm drain tragic teen was found in

Sinn Fein and the Department of Infrastructure are facing questions about whether they could have taken steps to lock a north Belfast storm drain before Noah Donohoe was found in it.
By Philip Bradfield
Published 7th Jul 2020, 06:30 BST
Updated 7th Jul 2020, 13:44 BST
Noah Donohoe,14, was found in the storm drain six days after going missing.Noah Donohoe,14, was found in the storm drain six days after going missing.
Noah Donohoe,14, was found in the storm drain six days after going missing.

Noah went missing on June 21. Police later tracked him by CCTV cycling across the city, reporting that he appeared to have fallen and hurt his head and become disorientated. He was found six days later in the north Belfast storm drain. Police do not suspect foul play.

Sinn Fein had written to the Department of Infrastructure (DfI) in late May about the culvert where the storm drain was located. DfI staff inspected it in early June and wrote back that they could see no sign of erosion, proposing no further action.

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The News Letter put it to Sinn Fein and DfI that they had both been reviewing the site before Noah went missing; that it is a walk-in drain that children played in; that gaps between bars over the drain are too large to stop children gaining access and that there was no padlock on the gate when Noah reportedly entered the drain.

The hatch which Noah reportedly used to enter the storm drain. A padlock (circled) can now be seen on the gateThe hatch which Noah reportedly used to enter the storm drain. A padlock (circled) can now be seen on the gate
The hatch which Noah reportedly used to enter the storm drain. A padlock (circled) can now be seen on the gate

The News Letter asked Sinn Fein what steps it took to secure the drain after raising the location with DfI. The party responded that it wrote to DfI in May “raising concerns by Northwood residents on erosion and property damage from the Premier Drive Stream which is an open section of stream”. It added that it is “the responsibility of the DfI to ensure that the relevant measures are in place to secure open streams and culverts under their control”.

Asked how it was addressing the situation, DfI responded that it “carries out weekly inspections of all storm drains to ensure they are fit for purpose and secure. When the department receives a complaint or a concern an additional site inspection is carried out. Any works that are required are then carried out.”

Asked why its inspection did not recognise the danger from the unlocked gate, DfI responded that it could not comment due to the ongoing police investigation.

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DUP MLA William Humphrey said he is writing to DfI Minister Nichola Mallon as residents are “very keen to secure the site so there can be no repetition”. He expressed concern that the gate was not padlocked before the tragedy occurred.

PSNI Supt Muir Clark said post mortem results have been shared with the Donohoe family, who have requested privacy. An investigation into Noah’s disappearance is continuing, he added.

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