A witness claimed police were “very dismissive” while the hearing was told evidence bags containing Noah’s clothes were not forensically sealed

A police officer who was one of the first to attend the area Noah Donohoe was last seen said he was “not aware at the time” it was a high risk missing persons case.

Noah, a pupil of St Malachy’s College, was 14 when he was found dead in a storm drain in north Belfast in June 2020, six days after leaving home on his bike to meet two friends in the Cavehill area of the city. A post-mortem examination found the cause of death was drowning.

The inquest into his death resumed on Monday, February 16, with evidence from an eyewitness who saw the teen cycling naked, as well as a police officer who was one of the first to attend Northwood Road.

READ MORE: Noah Donohoe ‘missed’ in initial search of CCTV footage, inquest toldREAD MORE: Noah Donohoe inquest witnesses tell of screams and ‘white flash-by window’ on night of his disappearance

Constable Wilson was called from Tennent Street station to the report of Noah’s bike being found on the street at around 8pm and was questioned on his actions between arriving and handing over to officers from South Belfast.

He also recalled finding trainers and a jumper along the road, which he put into evidence bags and placed in the police car. The Constable said he wore gloves to pick up Noah’s jumper and shoes, and place them into evidence bags. However, these bags were not forensically sealed.

He said at that time, the priority was to “keep the items secure as the weather was changing.” The items were placed in two evidence bags, and into the boot of the PSNI control car.

When asked by counsel for Fiona Donohoe, Ms Campbell KC, why the evidence bags were not forensically secured, he said: “I was dealing with a misper [missing person] not knowing it was the level it was at – if items were covered in blood it would have changed circumstances, but they were not.”

Constable Wilson said he checked Control Works, the PSNI log, before attending the area but that it just gives the call number and brief details of the case.

“It wouldn’t have given me all the details – it’s what is typed on by the dispatcher or call handler,” he said.

Ms Campbell also questioned Constable Wilson about why he did not mention in his notebook or statement that he spoke to a homeowner on Northwood Road.

The officer was asked about his training, stating he left the police college in February 2020 after joining in 2019.

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Constable Wilson was asked by Ms Campbell how they knew the clothing found on Northwood Road was Noah Donohoe’s, with the officer saying it was “obvious” he had been taking his clothing off while going up the road.

However, Ms Campbell highlighted that homeowner Ms Patterson said she saw Noah cycling naked – not that she witnessed him taking his clothes off.

Ms Campbell questioned why no mention of this was made in Constable Wilson’s notebook or statement. In response, he said they “couldn’t view CCTV [at Ms Patterson’s property] to clarify” the account. Ms Patterson told him police were welcome to call any time to get the footage.

Earlier in the day, the inquest heard from Conor McConnell, who was at his mother’s partner’s house on Northwood Road on Sunday, June 21. He said he thought it was a “prank” when he saw the schoolboy cycling naked on the day he disappeared.

His first statement, which was read to the jury, said: “While at the house, I was sat facing the living room window that looks out onto Northwood Road when I saw a male cycle past the window naked. I initially thought that this was a prank.”

He said he had gone outside and saw items of clothing on the street. Mr McConnell said he had later seen a dark car driving up the street and then saw two men talking at the top of the cul-de-sac. His statement said he concluded this had nothing to do with the naked cyclist.

The inquest heard that the witness had recently provided a second statement to the proceedings, after raising concerns about “inaccuracies” in his first statement.

The second statement said: “I told the police I had seen a nude male cycling up the street, and had observed his shoes neatly placed on the footpath and shorts and boxers looked like they had been stepped out of.

“These were also on the footpath, as were a T-shirt and hoodie, which I believed also belonged to the male.”

The audio of two phone calls, which police said the witness made to them on the Monday and Tuesday after Noah went missing were then played to the jury.

Mr McConnell told the inquest that he believed he had made three calls to the police, including two on the Sunday night. He said he had made the first call on the Sunday after seeing a Facebook post about a missing person which had been shared.

Counsel for the coroner Declan Quinn told the witness that the police position is that the first contact from him had been on the Monday night. Mr McConnell said he believed that the first of the two calls played to the jury was from the Sunday evening, not Monday.

Donal Lunny KC, barrister for the PSNI, said police had made “various searches” and were “satisfied” that Mr Connell had first contacted them on the Monday, and made a second contact on the Tuesday.

When the hearing resumed after lunch, Mr Lunny said: “I’m going to suggest to you, your first phone call was at 2312 on the Monday night, your second phone call is 2253 hours on the Tuesday.”

Mr McConnell said: “I disagree.” The witness was then questioned by Brenda Campbell KC, counsel for Ms Donohoe,

She said: “Have you come to court motivated by anything other than assisting the inquest?”

Mr McConnell said: “I don’t see the point in coming up here and lying about anything. I’m giving my honest memory.”

He said he was willing to allow his phone records to be examined. Ms Campbell said it was two years after Noah went missing before the police contacted Mr McConnell to make a statement.

The witness said the reason for this had been a “mystery” to him.

Ms Campbell said Mr McConnell had a “clear recollection” of seeing a social media post about Noah being missing, which prompted him to contact police. Mr McConnell said his recollection was that this had occurred on the Sunday night.

Ms Campbell then asked about a police log which stated that a constable had called Mr McConnell back after his initial contact. Mr McConnell said that he had no recollection of police calling him back.

He said: “Today is the first time it has been suggested to me that police called me back.”

Ms Campbell said: “When the police came to take a statement from you, nearly two years later, did they explain the delay?”

Mr McConnell said he had raised questions about the lack of response, but said police were “very dismissive”.

The inquest continues on Tuesday, February 17.

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A fourth ransom note from someone claiming to have information about Nancy Guthrie has been sent to TMZ, the tabloid reports.

The note reportedly is demanding confidential payment for the information. Harvey Levin, TMZ’s founder, addressed the sender in a video post on Monday and asked for verification that they are sincere.

“If you’re worried about getting this money, and you really do have this information, send it to us,” he said in the video. “We will forward it to the FBI, and that way there’s a record that we have that you supplied this information.”

The sender reportedly is claiming to know the identity of Guthrie’s alleged kidnapper.

“If they find her, and they find the kidnapper, then at least there is evidence because we have it, that you’re the one who provided the information,” Levin said. “So this is a way for you to get that money if this really is legitimate.”

Someone has sent TMZ three other notes, all of which claim to have knowledge of Guthrie’s fate, and all angling to collect on the FBI’s $100,000 reward for information. It’s assumed — but not confirmed — that the letters were sent by the same person.

Referee Chris Kavanagh and his assistant Nick Greenhalgh have not been selected for a Premier League game this weekend.

The pair were heavily criticised for their decisions in the fourth round FA Cup tie between Aston Villa and Newcastle United on Saturday, in which there was no video assistant referee.

VAR will not be brought in until the fifth round.

Professional Game Match Officials (PGMO) bases its selections on factors including post-match performance assessments conducted by an independent Key Match Incidents panel, ensuring accountability for officials.

Among the errors, Kavanagh and Greenhalgh missed a clear offside against Tammy Abraham for Villa’s opening goal.

A potential red card for Lucas Digne for a challenge on Jacob Murphy was missed, along with a possible offside against Dan Burn on Newcastle‘s equaliser.

But it was the Digne non-penalty decision that really left most speechless.

The Villa full-back was two yards inside the penalty area when he was penalised for a handball, but Kavanagh and Greenhalgh decided the offence was a yard outside the area and awarded a free-kick – from which Newcastle‘s Sandro Tonali scored the 63rd-minute equaliser.

Speaking on Match of the Day, Wayne Rooney said it was “one of the worst decisions I have ever seen”.

However, despite the criticism Kavanagh is highly regarded and in December was promoted to Uefa’s elite list of referees to join Michael Oliver and Anthony Taylor.

The other assistant at Villa Park, Gary Beswick, has been appointed to Nottingham Forest versus Liverpool on Sunday.

Durham County Council approved plans for the new properties at the Integra 61 site in Bowburn, County Durham. 

Initial plans show the new estate could include a mix of multi-storey homes, bungalows, and open space. Access would be taken from the main site estate road within the wider Intergra61 site, similar to the nearby new housing development. 

As part of the original Integra 61 development, 270 homes were approved in 2015 as part of the inaugural outline planning application. Since then, Persimmon Homes and Bellway have constructed 261 homes as part of the wider mixed-use commercial development. 

Where the new homes will be built within the existing Integra 61 development. (Image: Citrus Durham)

Citrus Group, the applicant, said the latest proposal for housing “made logical sense” after the land became available. 

A planning statement read: “Citrus Group is an experienced developer within Durham and has been integral to the delivery of major employment and residential developments across the county, namely Integra 61, which this site borders.  

“Citrus has been working proactively with officers and Durham County Council to provide an outline scheme which meets planning policy requirements and will provide a range of homes for the village, including family homes, starter homes, bungalows and affordable dwellings.

“When the land adjoining Integra became available more recently and accessible from our main spine road, it made logical sense to plan a small housing scheme at this end of the site next to existing residential properties and to complement what has been achieved so far.”

Durham County Council’s planning committee approved the proposal at a meeting last week. 

Last year, Citrus Durham revealed new proposals to create thousands of jobs through a £250 million development scheme. The latest plans for the next phase of Integra 61 aim to secure 3.2 million square feet of new industrial space. 

The proposed second phase includes plans for a mix of storage/distribution and manufacturing uses with some office space.

Plans have also been submitted for a new petrol station and Starbucks drive-thru at junction 61 of the A1(M) motorway near Bowburn.

Costa and Greggs drive-thru units are also located at the Integra 61 site, near the Amazon fulfilment centre. Construction is underway on Marton Care’s new 73-bedroom care home facility alongside the new homes.

The Scottish SPCA has made an appeal for help during their busy peak rescue season, as human interference is driving increasing admissions to its Alloa centre.

A total of 90 grey seals have been admitted for treatment in five months as the Scottish SPCA appeal for help during peak rescue season. The charity has made the plea as its National Wildlife Rescue Centre in Fishcross, Alloa, works through peak grey seal admissions.

As many as 50 pups are in its care at one time. Each seal requires round the clock care, with some also requiring veterinary treatment and medication.

In one occasion last May, the centre received 25 harbour seal pups at once with many of them orphaned. That number continued to grow until their release later in the year.

Triggered by earlier, warmer weather, this cluster pushed the team to respond faster and at a bigger scale. More harbour seals were released last year than ever before.

Following that busy harbour seal season, the team has now moved straight into its busiest period for grey seals. Human interference is driving increasing admissions to the centre, the charity said.

Well-meaning members of the public may approach if they think a seal pup has been abandoned. However, the mum is generally nearby and won’t return if people are there.

The SSPCA advises the public to call their helpline or British Divers Marine Life Rescue if you see an injured or distressed seal. Members of the public are also asked to keep a safe distance of at least 100m, keep dogs on leads and never attempt to handle, feed, or push the seal back into the water.

One grey seal currently receiving treatment after what was almost certainly an attack is Zelda, who arrived at the centre weighing just 14.3kg. From her head to her flipper, she was covered with infected wounds and abscesses.

It is believed Zelda was attacked most likely by a bull seal or an unleashed dog. She was started on a course of intensive treatment, pain relief and meticulous care.

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Once ready, Zelda started to spend more time outside adjusting to the natural world and was matched with a companion seal called Ducky. The two are navigating life in recovery together as they progress and build confidence.

Staff at the centre have developed an effective bottle-feeding technique with a balanced seal specific milk formula. While still in the early stages, this method has already transformed early-stage care for premature and vulnerable pups, providing a more positive and lower stress feeding experience.

Scotland is home to around 90 percent of the UK’s seal population – and the Scottish SPCA plays a critical role in safeguarding their future. Harbour seals are already vulnerable, with their population on the west coast declining by around 20 percent in recent years.

On average, seals can be at the centre for around 64 days. Every donation helps fund emergency care, rescue and rehabilitation and will enable the centre to keep providing seals the best possible care.

To donate, visit the seal appeal here.

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Dean Gate Farm sits off Smithills Dean Road, near the historic Smithills Hall and the popular Smithills Open Farm.

While the boarded-up old building may look forgotten now, archives show its story stretches back to the 1840s.

Newspaper archives tell us the farm appeared in The Bolton Chronicle as early as 1851. In October 1862, an advert described “all the desirable MILK FARM, called ‘Dean Gate Farm’, situate in Smithills Dean, near Bolton, comprising the usual farm buildings, which are in very good condition, and about 21 acres of land.”

Today the 20 acres there don’t belong to the farm anymore.

The old cowshed

They remain behind the roadside view, including a farmhouse and outbuildings that are currently disused and private.

The property has been in the Parker family since the late 1950s or early 1960s, with Wilson Parker now the latest member of the Boltonian bloodline.

Mr Parker said: “It’s been in my family since the late 1950s, early 1960s, so from then up until now, I know quite a bit of the history.”

The building hasn’t been touched for some time, meaning it will take a lot to repair using Mr Parker’s own company Bulldog Property Group.

He said there have been a few paranormal investigators who come by the farm with high interest in its history and suspected supernatural occurrences.

The paranormal side to the building is a myth from what Mr Parker has seen, with him saying it’s just a building and he’s never once seen any occult activity inside the farm, which is now earmarked to turned into a luxury home.

Break-ins from urban explorers and troublesome children have caused Mr Parker to tighten up the security, with him now having CCTV.

Going back in time, long before the Parker family, Dean Gate Farm was home to generations of Bolton families.

In 1861, farmer John Holt lived there with his wife and son, before James Maxfield who came in 1864. At some point in the following years, Isaac Taylor also lived at the farm, with archives recording the death of his son.

Throughout the late 1800s, the farm continued operating as a milk farm. Newspaper adverts regularly appeared for the sale of cows, lettings and staff.

By the early 1900s, the Hodgkinson family were living at the farm, while later archives show the property having little publicity in the Bolton Evening News. One 1930 advert even listed a classic now- the “Ner-a-car” motorcycle for sale.

Thomas Shaw became the next recorded resident in 1941.

An archive noted he had worked at the farm for 24 years during a dispute over milk quality, suggesting he had lived there since around 1917. He died in the 1950s, and the Shaw family continued on not long after.

Newspaper adverts from the decade asked for “a man or youth for farm work” with dairy farming knowledge. In June 1957, John Shaw died while his mother Margaret was still alive.

After the Parker family bought Dean Gate Farm, it began a new chapter in its long history.

Dean Gate Farm

Renovation plans soon followed, with late-1960s adverts seeking someone to convert the barn house into a liveable space. By the 1980s, restoration work had taken place, with a newspaper walk describing visitors turning “left by the drive at the restored stone house at Dean Gate Farm.”

Despite that work, the building has remained largely untouched for decades, something Mr Parker says often sparks curiosity from passers-by.

Mr Parker said: “It’s been as it is now for the past 50 years. There’s a bit of work being done in the 80s, but since then no one’s touched it. I think it just intrigues people that walk past.”

He explained the farm’s prominent position and surrounding greenbelt land adds to the mystery.

Mr Parker said: “You can see it from the road. It’s a greenbelt area, there’s been no properties built nearby. I think it’s just generated a bit of intrigue over the past few years, so people have been asking me what’s been going on with it.

“It’s got a double apex roof, which some people don’t know, so it’s twice as big in terms of depth as what a lot of people think it is. The sheer size, plus having to rectify what was done back then, will just cost a lot in terms of how much it needs and the work that’s required.”

Although the property is currently unused, it has still hosted family celebrations.

Inside the farm building. Pictures by Phil Taylor

Mr Parker said: “It was my mum’s 70th back in August, so we thought we might as well just have a big party since there’s been no use for it.

“Just have a few drinks, DJ, bar on, have a good time and make use of the building itself with its big dance floor.”

For now, the historic farm remains a private site, quietly holding nearly two centuries of Bolton history behind its boarded-up exterior.

Pictures by Phil Taylor

Police and the ambulance service were called to Baliol Green around 3.45pm on Saturday (February 14) after reports the boy was assaulted.

The 13-year-old was taken to hospital as a precaution, and left “shaken” by the attack.

Durham Police confirmed an investigation is now underway.

A force spokesperson said: “Any witnesses to the incident are asked to call Durham Constabulary on 101, quoting incident number 265 of February 14.”

Australia’s hopes of reaching the Super 8 stage of the T20 World Cup are all but over after Sri Lanka’s Pathum Nissanka hit a brilliant unbeaten 100 to condemn them to an eight-wicket defeat in Pallekele.

Stunned by Zimbabwe in their second outing on Friday, Australia needed a win to keep their qualification fate in their own hands but it is Sri Lanka who march into the next round.

For Australia to sneak through as the second-placed team from their group, they now need Zimbabwe to lose both of their remaining matches against Ireland and Sri Lanka and then to defeat Oman themselves which would bring net run-rate into play.

Australia’s predicament came from their inability to convert a good start from their openers Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh as they set the home side a target of 182 after a collapse in the second half of their innings.

Despite the feeling Sri Lanka could have a complicated chase on their hands because of a pitch which was slowing down, they eased to victory with the Australian bowling attack lacking any bite in the absence of injured Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc.

And the Sri Lanka duo of Nissanka and Kusal Mendis took full advantage.

With wicketkeeper Mendis providing perfect support with a composed 51 from 38 balls, Nissanka brought up his century in 52 balls to take his side past the finish line with an innings that blended brute power and finesse.

Australia had Marsh return after recovering from a groin injury that forced him out of the first two matches and the returning skipper gave his side a solid platform batting alongside Head, who hit a long-overdue half-century off 27 balls.

They powered Australia to 104-0 in 8.2 overs before Head departed for 59 and it marked the beginning of dramatic downturn.

Marsh followed him shortly with a brisk 54 as they unravelled alarmingly to be bundled out for 181, losing their final five wickets in the space of just seven runs and 14 balls.

With Sri Lanka chasing down the target with ease, the Australians are left clinging to only the slimmest mathematical hope and will watch nervously as Zimbabwe face Ireland on Tuesday.

Anthony Boyle leads the cast of the award-winning Belfast-set drama, with Jessica Reynolds and House of Guinness stars joining the Channel 4 adaptation

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Outlander star Jessica Reynolds has signed on to the impressive ensemble cast of a highly anticipated new British drama.

Channel 4 has unveiled the stellar line-up for Close to Home, based on Michael Magee’s acclaimed debut novel of the same name.

The book, which won both the 2023 Rooney Prize for Irish Literature and the Nero Prize for Debut Fiction 2024, is set in Belfast and chronicles a young man’s return home from university.

The synopsis reads: “Back from university and back into old habits. Back on the mad all-nighters, the borrowed tenners and missing rent, the casual jobs that always fall through.

“Back with his brother, his ma and all the things they never talk about. Back where the promised prosperity of peacetime has yet to arrive and every street has a story to tell”, reports the Scottish Daily Express.

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“One night, Sean assaults a stranger at a party and everything is tipped into chaos.”

House of Guinness star Anthony Boyle will take the lead role as Sean, reuniting with his co-star from the Steven Knight-created period drama, Seamus O’Hara, who plays Anthony.

Reynolds, who also appeared in House of Guinness as Christine O’Madden, alongside roles in A Woman of Substance and Kneecap, will take on the part of Mairéad, whilst Trespasses’ Oisín Thompson has been cast as Ryan.

Many viewers will remember Reynolds best from her portrayal of Malva Christie in Outlander’s sixth series, where she sparked chaos within the Fraser family by claiming Jamie (Sam Heughan) had fathered her child, infuriating his wife Claire (Caitriona Balfe).

Author Magee expressed his excitement about Channel 4’s eagerly awaited adaptation: “Developing Close to Home for television has been an intensely fulfilling creative experience, a dream come true, really, and I’m incredibly grateful to Michael Dawson and Clare Dwyer Hogg for all the work they’ve done with me on the scripts, and to Diarmuid Goggins and Gemma Boswell and the whole team at Element and Channel 4 for the passion and creative energy they’ve put into bringing this story to life.”

Gemma Boswell, Commissioner Editor for Channel 4, chimed in: “It is a privilege to bring Mick’s award-winning novel to Channel 4. Close To Home explores the emotionally rich landscape of West Belfast through the eyes of Sean, played by the fantastic Anthony Boyle. We’re delighted to showcase Mick’s beautiful writing with this timely and evocative story of a young generation finding their place in the world.”

Lastly, Executive Producer Michael Dawson commented: “In his debut novel, Mick has captured a compelling vision of Belfast life, brimming with anarchic energy, humanity and mischief.

“Diarmuid Goggins is the perfect filmmaker to bring this to the screen; his ability to fuse bold, kinetic visuals with a raw, grounded realism is exactly what this story demands.

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“Together with the indomitable Anthony Boyle and our incredible partners at Channel 4, Fremantle, NI Screen, and Screen Ireland, we are set to deliver a piece of television that is as dynamic, loud, and uncompromising as the city itself.”

Close to Home will be helmed by director Diarmuid Goggins (Code of Silence) and produced by the BAFTA-winning Element Pictures, a Fremantle company behind Normal People and Bugonia.

Whilst the series does not yet have a confirmed release date, filming is due to commence in Belfast from this month.

Outlander season 8 premieres Friday, 6th March on Starz and will be available to stream on MGM+ via Prime Video. Close to Home will release at a later date on Channel 4.

ITV’s Betrayal finale airs tonight with viewers already asking if there will be another series.

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Betrayal is drawing to a close and viewers are already wondering whether the ITV espionage thriller will return for another season.

Endeavour star Shaun Evans takes centre stage in this gripping four-part series, portraying MI5 officer John who uncovers an imminent attack on British soil.

His complex inquiry, coupled with marital turmoil at home, has delivered riveting television over the past fortnight, with the concluding episode broadcasting tonight, Monday, February 16, on ITV.

Will Betrayal return for a second series?

At present, there has been no official announcement regarding Betrayal’s renewal for a second series.

For viewers who have already devoured the drama on ITVX, this inaugural series does conclude the narrative, leaving no significant unresolved threads for Betrayal to explore in a potential follow-up.

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Nevertheless, this doesn’t automatically rule out Betrayal’s comeback, as a second series could instead centre on John becoming embroiled in other high-stakes investigations.

There’s also the matter of John’s marriage to Claire (Romola Garai) remaining uncertain in the closing moments as they resumed couples’ therapy.

Actor Shaun Evans revealed that whilst no plans exist for another series, additional episodes could materialise if Betrayal resonates with home audiences.

“We set out to make a four-parter which was strong and felt like it had no filler, that it wasn’t hanging around, that it was tight and concise, and that the story was really strong,” he told Radio Times.

“And then you offer that to the world, and if there’s an appetite for more, then we will get together and discuss whether there’s more story to tell.

“But it wasn’t like, ‘This is a brilliant setup for running and running and running’.

“I think you’re on a hiding to nothing if you do that. To me, it feels quite cynical.”

For the time being, however, viewers will simply have to remain patient to discover whether additional episodes are in the pipeline.

Whilst Betrayal’s complete boxset has been available to stream on ITVX since last week, its concluding episode will premiere this evening, Monday, February 16, on ITV.

But can Mehreen and General Qasem Asadi (Omid Djalili) be relied upon, or could a potentially fatal attack actually be on its way?

Betrayal is available to watch on ITVX.