Senior Officer Apologises Over Missed Opportunities in Noah Donohoe Case
A senior police officer has issued an apology to Fiona Donohoe, mother of Noah Donohoe, acknowledging that the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) missed investigative opportunities during the inquiry into the disappearance and death of the schoolboy.
Detective Chief Inspector Tom Phillips, from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), appeared as a witness at the inquest into Noah’s death on Tuesday.
Throughout his testimony, Fiona Donohoe listened from a corner of the courtroom as her barrister noted that Phillips responded with "I don't know" over 30 times during his evidence.
Noah, aged 14, was found deceased in a water tunnel six days after he went missing in Belfast in June 2020.
Initial Evidence and Apology
In the early part of his evidence, Phillips informed the coroner, Mr Justice Rooney, and the jury that the PSNI had exerted all efforts to locate Noah as swiftly as possible.
When questioned whether Fiona Donohoe should have been compelled to "force" what was described as a proper police investigation into her son’s death, Phillips responded:
"I'm very sorry she had to do that."
Regarding missed investigative opportunities under his leadership as senior investigating officer, Phillips admitted:
"I fully accept that matters were brought to the attention of the PSNI that I missed, and yes that shouldn't have happened."
Reflection on Investigation and Family Relations
The senior officer also addressed the breakdown in relations between Fiona Donohoe and the PSNI, expressing he was "truly sorry" for any role he played in the deterioration of their relationship.
"I can't imagine the pain she goes through every day,"
Phillips acknowledged that he should have been "more inquisitive about Noah's home life" during the investigation, specifically referencing CCTV footage showing Noah leaving his home in the early hours on the day of his disappearance.
He suggested that a greater focus on Noah’s home environment might have led to earlier discovery of this footage or other information, potentially opening additional investigative avenues.
However, he emphasized:
"I'm not saying for one moment that Fiona Donohoe was at fault in any way, but I believed a more inquisitive approach to their family life could have provided additional investigative opportunities."
Phillips referred to Fiona Donohoe’s account that she believed Noah could not have left their home at night without her noticing due to a "squeaky door."
Cross-Examination on Key Questions
During cross-examination by the Donohoe family barrister, Phillips was asked a series of direct questions about Noah’s movements and possessions on the morning of his disappearance, including:
- Where Noah went in the early hours
- Whether he travelled by car or entered a property
- The whereabouts of his flip-flops and headphones
- Why he was barefoot upon returning home
- Why he left and returned from opposite directions
- Why his belt was loose when he returned after 04:00 on 21 June 2020
Phillips replied "I don't know" to each question.
"We should have found those answers,"
he added.
The barrister further questioned why the PSNI did not investigate movements around the nearby Holyland area of south Belfast after viewing the footage of Noah leaving Fitzroy Avenue on the morning of his disappearance.
Phillips responded:
"I have no explanation."
Questions on Daryl Paul and Missing Items
The witness was asked about the PSNI’s knowledge of Daryl Paul, the man who found Noah’s missing rucksack after the disappearance, specifically regarding Paul’s movements in north Belfast along Noah’s final bicycle route and the exact location where the rucksack was found.
Phillips replied:
"I don't know."
He explained that the location where the bag was found was not a priority at the time because it was not expected to assist in locating Noah, which was the primary objective.
Phillips was also questioned about the whereabouts of Noah’s missing phone, which was found in Castleton Park in north Belfast, and the missing shorts and boxer shorts, which have never been recovered.
Once again, he replied:
"I don't know."
The officer explained that Noah’s clothes had been discarded at separate points along the final stages of his bicycle ride. He noted that bins had been emptied before police searches and that enquiries at a landfill site were conducted but deemed "not viable" for recovering the missing clothing.
Investigation Context and Public Interest
Regarding reports of possible screams or noises heard while Noah was missing, Phillips told the inquest that no one had come forward to report hearing any "cries of help me."
He described the investigation as taking place amid ongoing Covid-19 restrictions and unprecedented public interest in the early days.
"I don't think I've ever known a week as busy in my life,"
Phillips added.
He explained that the PSNI had to consider various possibilities based on information from Fiona Donohoe, including details about Noah’s mood.
The investigation was also guided by information that Noah had discarded possessions and clothing and was naked when he disappeared.
One consideration was that Noah might have had a bag with a change of clothes on the other side of a nearby park and might have been preparing to leave the area. Another possibility was that he had been kidnapped.
Phillips elaborated on the investigation’s challenges, stating that conspiracies and rumours were "flooding the community," including claims that Noah had been kidnapped and murdered by "certain factions."
The police had to consider a wide range of issues, including the possibility of "someone being hurt in the name of revenge."
Press Conference and CCTV Apologies
When questioned about a police press conference stating that Noah had sustained a head injury from falling off his bicycle before disappearing, Phillips acknowledged the police had considered this possibility and said:
"I can only apologise if that caused any upset."
He also expressed regret over the failure to download some CCTV footage during the investigation, attributing it to "a communication breakdown."
"It shouldn't have happened and I do apologise,"
Phillips said.
Denial of Briefing Claims
Phillips was questioned about previous evidence from a police constable who stated he had been briefed at a meeting, attended by Phillips, about what to say regarding Noah’s missing coat when attending the inquest.
The senior officer denied that any such briefing had taken place, stating:
"I did not tell him what to say, did not tell him how to answer questions."
He added:
"I'm many things, I'm not a liar."
