30,000 people sign petition for police to release Noah files

A PROTEST has been held outside PSNI headquarters by the family and supporters of teenager Noah Donohoe where a petition with 30.000 signatures was handed over demanding the release of information pertaining to his death.

Family and friends gathered to vent their anger that evidence they see as vital to understanding what happened to Noah has been shielded from those seeking answers. The material is being prepared for a Public Interest Immunity (PII) certification. If that certification is granted, then it could see some information in the files, possibly essential to understanding what happened, redacted.

The petition was accepted on behalf of the PSNI by Assistant Chief Constable Bobby Singleton who pledged to do all he could to ensure Noah’s family receive justice.

Noah, aged 14, disappeared in June of 2020 after telling his mother Fiona he was going to see friends. Noah went missing and was found six days later, naked in a storm drain in Belfast.

At the protest was independent councillor Raymond Barr, who believes that the Donohoe’s campaign is once again ‘gathering momentum’.

He explained, “The protest was only an hour long, but it garnered a great deal of attention from all quarters, attention which I believe has been sorely lacking, but momentum is finally being revived. Gerry Carroll from People Before Profit was at the protest as was boxer Paddy Barnes who has been an ever-present at every event and rally which I have attended in search for answers for Fiona and her family. The more media coverage Noah’s story receives, the better.”

Saddened

Cllr Barr welcomed the presence of People Before Profit at the protest although remains saddened at representatives from other parties in Stormont staying away.

“One or two have been making noises in support of Noah’s campaign but that’s about it. Whether those noises translate into practical support remains to be seen, especially with an election coming up.

“I stand with Fiona and the family in the fight to make sure that we get the truth about Noah.”

In a further development, it has transpired that both Noah’s mother Fiona and aunt Niamh, who come originally from Lisnafin, are to be interviewed by police tomorrow (Friday) in relation to a walk they took last year on Royal Avenue in Belfast. A Facebook post on the Noah Donohoe Justice page on the social media platform has asked for supporters to come to the station and stand in solidarity.

Cllr Barr condemned the actions of the PSNI calling it ‘sickening’, and questioned the motive behind this interview.

“It’s sickening to hear Fiona and Niamh Donohoe are to be interviewed in relation to walking part of the final route Noah took, the part where, incidentally there was no CCTV pickup.

“Realistically, is this going to end in prosecutions or is it a blatant act of harassment or ‘payback’ at the public purses expense,” he asked.

“A lack of resources was cited as a reason for an ineffective response to Noah’s disappearance, yet there is no bother financing irrelevant interviews, or maybe there is a more sinister element to this tactic. This family are victims stop trying to criminalise them.”