An inquiry jury has been presented with surveillance footage of a teenage boy riding a bicycle without clothes shortly before he disappeared.

Noah Donohoe, aged 14, was discovered deceased in a drainage system in June 2020, six days after leaving his residence on a bike to meet up with two pals for a trip to the Cavehill area in Belfast. The inquiry, investigating the circumstances surrounding Noah’s vanishing and demise, viewed nine minutes of intermittent footage from the evening he went missing.

Initially, he was observed departing his apartment building on Fitzroy Avenue with his bicycle, donning a helmet and a backpack. Subsequently, through a sequence of clips, he was seen biking through the city center and then heading northward. In the last clip, just before his disappearance, he was spotted cycling naked.

The jury then received testimony from a driver who encountered Noah on the same evening after he had fallen off his bike. Donna Blain first reached out to the police during the time between Noah’s disappearance and the discovery of his body, later providing a statement ten months after the young boy’s passing.

During the inquiry, she recounted witnessing Noah, who seemed to have tumbled from his bike and was lifting it back up. She mentioned that she was unsure of what caused the fall.

The witness informed the inquiry that Noah appeared embarrassed, looking around before riding off. She noted that he left his coat behind on the ground, without any visible signs of injury.

In previous statements, Charlie Rocks, a close friend of Noah’s from their time at St Malachy’s College in Belfast, described Noah as an amiable, curious individual. Rocks highlighted Noah’s sociable nature and positive outlook, indicating that Noah never expressed a desire to explore storm drains or underground spaces.

Rocks further mentioned that Noah had become more introspective regarding his emotions during the lockdown period, showing a newfound interest in self-improvement literature. Additionally, Rocks disclosed that he was unaware of Noah occasionally spending nights alone in his Belfast apartment.

When asked about Noah’s sexuality, Rocks affirmed that Noah had not shown any struggles in that regard. The court viewed messages exchanged between Noah and Rocks discussing mutual romantic interests, with Rocks emphasizing his friendship and support for Noah.