An appeal for information regarding the movements of missing schoolboy Noah Donohoe has been launched after CCTV footage revealed that the 14-year-old had left his house and returned in the middle of the night before his disappearance.
The teenager left his home wearing flip-flops and headphones, but appeared to return without them.
Noah went missing on June 21, 2020, after leaving his home in Fitzroy Avenue, Belfast, on his bike at 5.40pm.
Read more: New CCTV footage and map reveal mysterious 35 minutes of Noah Donohoe’s final evening
He was last seen alive on CCTV footage captured on Northwood Drive after travelling through the city centre.
His body was found in a storm drain in the north of the city almost a week after he went missing.
An inquest into his death has been postponed until 2026.
However, on Friday, the Coroners Service launched an appeal for information surrounding his movements the night before he went missing.
“The night before Noah disappeared [i.e. the night of Saturday, June 20, into Sunday June, 21 2020] Noah left his home at 65 Fitzroy Avenue at approximately 3.34am. He returned at approximately 4.08am,” a spokesperson said.
“The weather in the early hours of Sunday, June 21, 2020 was damp and drizzling.
“The flats at 65 Fitzroy Avenue are on the corner of Fitzroy Avenue and Dudley Street in the Holylands / Queen’s University area of south Belfast.
“CCTV from Noah’s home address captures his departure and his return.
“When Noah left home at approximately 3.34am, he was casually dressed in dark coloured knee-length shorts and a light or white coloured T-shirt.
“He was wearing flip-flops and carrying over-ear headphones in his right hand.”
The Coroners Service said that the 14-year-old appeared to turn right after leaving his home and walk west in the direction of Queen’s University.
“When Noah is next captured on CCTV, on his return home, he was on University Street, coming from the direction of Ormeau Road and walking in the direction of Queen’s University,” they continued.
“From there, he turned left onto Dudley Street and then right onto Fitzroy Avenue, turning immediately into his home address.
“Noah re-entered through the front door of 65 Fitzroy Avenue at approximately 4.08am.
“It is apparent from CCTV footage that he was barefoot on his return, and neither his flip-flops nor his headphones are visible on his person.”
The Presiding Coroner, Mr Justice Rooney, is appealing for information about why he left home that night, where he went, whether he met anyone and what happened to his flip-flops and headphones.
He is also appealing for potential information regarding Noah being out in the early hours of the morning on any other occasion.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Coroners Service for Northern Ireland via telephone on 0300 200 7811 or email at coronersoffice@courtsni.gov.uk.