A coroner has issued a stark social media warning ahead of the jury inquest into the death of 14-year-old Noah Donohoe. The Belfast schoolboy was found dead in a storm drain in June 2020, and Mr Justice Rooney emphasised that inappropriate online posts could have serious consequences for both the inquest process and those involved, with the proceedings set to begin on January 19.
Noah Donohoe, a pupil at St Malachy's College in Belfast, went missing while cycling to meet friends in June 2020. Searchers found his body in a storm drain in north Belfast six days later. His death remains unexplained and has attracted significant public interest due to the large-scale search that preceded the discovery.
During a preliminary hearing at Belfast's Royal Courts of Justice on Friday, Mr Justice Rooney addressed concerns that properly interested parties raised about recent social media activity. He said: "I've been at pains to emphasise the importance and risks of social media posts about the inquest."
The coroner warned that certain online posts may need to be examined further. "Some PIPs (properly interested parties) have raised issues about recent social media posts, and they may … require to be explored in some more detail in due course." He explained this during the hearing.
Warning to the public
Mr Justice Rooney made clear that the warning applies to everyone, not just those directly involved in the proceedings. "However it bears repeating that no-one, whether involved in the inquest, or in the general public, should engage in any social media activity which might prejudice the inquest process, particularly given the proximity of the inquest."
He added: "The consequences of such activity could be serious, not only for the progress of the inquest, but also for any person engaged in inappropriate social media activity."
Noah's mother Fiona Donohoe hopes the inquest will provide answers to outstanding questions surrounding her son's death. Further review hearings are scheduled for January 15 and 16, ahead of the jury inquest starting on January 19.
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
