LAST UPDATE | 24 Jun 2020
POLICE AND NEIGHBOURS in Belfast are continuing to search for missing 14-year-old schoolboy Noah Donohoe, who was last seen on Sunday evening.
Police have now appealed to people to check their property, gardens, sheds and outbuildings as part of the search. They have also asked people to let police know if any items have gone missing from their washing lines.
Noah Donohoe was last seen cycling his bicycle in the Northwood Road area of the city at approximately 6.11pm on Sunday.
Noah left his home in South Belfast at approximately 5.30pm on Sunday with his black Apollo mountain bike. He was wearing a black skateboarding helmet, a khaki green North Face jacket, grey sweatshorts, a tie-dye blue hoodie, Nike trainers with a bright yellow tick and was carrying a khaki rucksack at the time.
Noah was seen on Ormeau Avenue in Belfast at 5.45pm that evening and was sighted again on Royal Avenue a short time later.
He was then seen on North Queen Street heading towards Limestone Road at 5.57pm.
“An eyewitness believes they saw a young male matching Noah’s description fall off his bicycle on Sunday evening, possibly sustaining a head injury, in the vicinity of North Queen Street-York Street, but we do not know the specific time,” Chief Inspector Gavin Kirkpatrick said today.
“We believe Noah got back on his bicycle, cycling into Northwood Road where he then abandons all his clothing, as he is seen a short time later cycling while naked. We believe Noah then dropped his bicycle and left the area on foot,” Kirkpatrick added.
There have been no further confirmed sightings of Noah since 6.11pm on Sunday. So far, his crash helmet, Nike trainers, hoody, bicycle and mobile phone have been found. However his North Face coat, shorts, and backpack containing a laptop have not been located.
‘Check your own property’
This evening, PSNI superintendent Muir Clark said at a press conference that the police “really need people to check their own property”.
“We are looking for a slim 14-year-old boy. Check your gardens, sheds and outbuildings for any sign of Noah. If you have a car, or a caravan, that hasn’t been used for some time which is sitting in your driveway please check it to see if Noah is there.
If anyone has had clothing which has gone missing from a washing line over the last few days you need to call us.
“If you are a landlord or you own a vacant property in this area, please come check your property for any sign of Noah. It goes without saying Noah’s family and the police are incredibly concerned for his safety.”
Clark continued with a direct appeal to Noah:
If you are watching this on TV, or you are listening to it on the radio, or you are seeing the appeal online, you are not in any trouble. Just let us know you are safe and we will come to you.
Clark also appealed to Noah’s friends, asking them to get in touch with any information, no matter how seemingly insignificant. He reiterated that they are not in trouble.
Clark told the press that police believe Noah may have suffered an injury which caused behaviour that is not normal, and that he may be seeking either shelter because he has no clothing or money, or he may not realise where he is.
The teenager’s family are “distraught” said Clark. “They just want Noah to come home.”
Search party
According to the BBC, hundreds of volunteers in Belfast have come out to help search for Noah since he went missing.
PSNI supported by air support unit, police dogs and a tactical support group have been searching the area alongside community rescue service and local volunteers, Inspector Kirkpatrick said earlier today.
“Noah’s family and police are very concerned for Noah as this is completely out of character,” he added.
“We need help from the public to find him. If you have any information please contact police immediately on 101 quoting reference number 1619 of 21/06/20.”
- Additional reporting Aoife Barry
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