Noah Donohoe: Inquest adjourned until later in year after late-night sitting

The long-running Noah Donohoe investigation has been postponed until later this year.

The coroner, Mr Justice Rooney, handed down the verdict just before 1am BST on Friday due to the four jurors’ upcoming holiday arrangements.

The inquest is examining the circumstances surrounding Noah’s death after he went missing and died in North Belfast in June 2020.

Her body was found in an underground water tunnel close to the M2 motorway six days after she disappeared.

The discovery was made 600 meters below the entrance to the tunnel system, close to where Noah was last seen on Northwood Road.

Mr Justice Rooney described the adjournment as “unprecedented”.

The jury’s eight men and two women had been deliberating for more than three days since Tuesday morning.

At the hearing, which remained in session until 23.30 on the third day, Thursday, the unanimous decision required by the court could not be reached.

The hearing took place late at night at the Royal Courts of Justice after the hearing was removed from the adjacent Laganside Court at around 18:00.

In an update made before 11:30 p.m., it was revealed that two of the jurors would not be on duty on Friday because they were away on planned holidays.

It was also revealed that two other jurors would not be available from Saturday due to planned holidays.

The number of jurors in the investigation could be reduced to at least seven.