Police were informed that Noah Donohoe, a 14-year-old boy later found dead in a north Belfast storm drain, had been acting 'strangely' before leaving home for the last time, an inquest at Belfast coroner's court has heard.

The naked body of Noah was discovered in a storm drain tunnel in June 2020, six days after he left his Fitzroy Avenue home on his bike, reportedly to meet friends in the Cavehill area.

Detective Sergeant Gardiner, who coordinated CCTV in the investigation, was questioned about footage from the area. Counsel for Noah's mother, Brenda Campbell KC, noted the boy turned right after leaving home, whereas turning left would lead to Ormeau Road, where he was later located.

Mr Gardiner stated that police had information Noah was behaving strangely in the house and that his mother reported him as emotional. He added that Noah had lied about going to Cavehill, as his friends confirmed otherwise, though the investigation did not proceed on the basis that he had lied.

The inquest, now in its fifth week, heard of limitations in CCTV coverage, including footage from the Holylands area not fully explored. Mr Gardiner said priorities focused on Noah's route, backpack, and phone, and some 2020 footage was not reviewed until 2022.

Ms Campbell highlighted discrepancies in the evidence, such as Noah appearing in multiple places at impossible times, underscoring gaps in understanding his movements.