Noah Donohoe inquest adjourned until later in year after late-night sitting

A significant story is unfolding on the international scene. Noah Donohoe inquest adjourned until later in year after late-night sittingImage source, PacemakerImage caption, Noah Donohoe was found dead almost a week after he went missing in June 2020ByKevin Sharkey News NI Published29 minutes agoThe long-running Noah Donohoe inquest has been adjourned until later this year. The decision was taken by the coroner just before 01:00 BST on Friday because of impending holiday arrangements by four members of the jury. Mr Justice Rooney described the situation as "unprecedented".

The inquest has been examining the circumstances of Noah Donohoe's death in north Belfast in June 2020. The eight men and two women on the jury had been deliberating over three days since Tuesday morning. They remained in session on the third day until shortly before 23:30 on Thursday, without reaching the unanimous verdict required by the court.

The Details

The late-night sitting took place in the Royal Courts of Justice after the hearing was moved from the adjacent Laganside Court at around 18:00. During an update before 23:30 it emerged that two of the jurors would be unavailable for service on Friday because they are departing on planned holidays. It was also revealed that two other jury members would be unavailable from Saturday due to their planned holidays.

The number of jurors at the inquest can drop to a minimum of seven. Jury praised for 'dedication' Following a lengthy recess, the hearing reconvened just before 01:00 on Friday and the coroner announced that he was adjourning proceedings because of the holiday arrangements. Mr Justice Rooney explained that the ten jurors had "dedicated" themselves to more than five months of the inquest since it began at the end of January.

He said it would be "wrong" not to allow all of them to be involved in the completion of the jury process. He praised their commitment during the entire process saying they "listened intently" to the proceedings. Mr Justice Rooney said the issue arising from the holiday arrangements had left the process in "uncharted waters".

What Experts Say

Praising the jury members for the role they have played at the inquest he said it "can't be right" to expect them to be rushed into a decision. He also acknowledged that the jury was "exhausted" after deliberating from early Thursday morning, adding that "it would be totally wrong" to expect them to continue deliberations in the hours ahead. Adjournment was 'best option' Mr Justice Rooney said the best option was to adjourn the inquest until August or September to allow all members of the jury to participate in the process until it concludes.

Before they were allowed to go home, pending their return at a date to be agreed, the coroner reminded the eight men and two women that they should not allow themselves to be influenced in any way by factors outside the evidence they have heard in court. Mr Justice Rooney said the adjournment will allow the inquest to "get it right" for Noah's mother Fiona and all interested parties at the hearing.

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.