Police find body in search for missing schoolboy Noah Donohoe

Police in Northern Ireland believe a body found in North Belfast this morning is the missing teenager Noah Donohoe who vanished six days ago on a bicycle ride through the city six days ago.

Detectives say they believe the 14-year-old fell off his bike and hit his head before stripping off naked and then continuing to cycle through the city, based on witness statements from people in the area.

His body was recovered from a storm drain which could not be searched earlier this week because of high tides.  

Superintendent Muir Clark said his body was found in the storm drain complex. He described the area as ‘incredibly complex’ and ‘challenging’. 

Superintendent Clark confirmed foul play is not suspected. He condemned people on social media who were sharing false and malicious information on social media. 

The Police Service of Northern Ireland believe they have found the body of missing teenager Noah Donohoe, pictured

Yesterday officers following his trail found a backpack belonging to the boy containing a Lenovo laptop, and a copy of the book 12 Rules for Life by Jordan Peterson.

The disappearance of Donohoe has mystified Belfast after boy vanished six days ago and officers failed to find any trace of him.

His coat and his shorts have not yet been found.  

A PSNI statement said: ‘Police can confirm that a body was recovered in the North Belfast area just before 9.45am today. Officers believe it is the missing teenager Noah Donohoe and are continuing to provide support to his family at this very difficult time.’

The bag contained his laptop, which is now being examined by police as a major line of inquiry in the search to find the 14-year-old who had not been seen since Sunday evening.

Noah left home around 5.30pm on Sunday and was last seen heading towards north Belfast

Noah left his home in south Belfast at 5.30pm on Sunday and was seen on Ormeau Avenue, heading towards the city centre, 15 minutes later. 

He was then seen on Royal Avenue and York Street before he was again spotted at 5.57pm on North Queen Street.  

A few minutes later, a boy fitting Noah’s description was seen falling from a bike around a quarter of a mile further up the road. 

A final sighting of Noah was believed to have taken place around 6pm on Queen Street / York Road.  

Superintendent Clark said a 26-year-old man has been arrested following a social media post concerning Noah.

‘Last night we became aware of social media posts. We are aware of the content of these social media posts and are content that there is no truth behind their content,’ he said.

‘A 26-year-old male was arrested in the early hours of this morning on suspicion of improper use of a public electronic communications network and he is currently helping with inquiries.’

Alliance Party leader Naomi Long thanked the PSNI and Community Rescue for their work. 

She tweeted: ‘My thoughts & prayers are with Noah Donohoe’s family at this heartbreaking time: this is not the outcome we were hoping for & I want to extend my deepest sympathies to them. Thank you to everyone who helped in the tireless search to find Noah @PoliceServiceNI @CommunityRescue.’ 

Police spent almost a week searching north Belfast to find the missing teenager 

Police are providing support for Noah’s family, including his mother Fiona, pictured centre outside Musgrave Road PSNI station in Belfast

Superintendent Muir Clark, pictured, said a 26-year-old man has been arrested for ‘improper use of electronic communications’ and sharing unfounded speculation on social media