An inquest into the death of 14-year-old Noah Donohoe heard expert evidence that he likely entered a storm drain culvert alive on June 21, 2020, and drowned there during high tide. His body was found on June 27, 2020, in the culvert under the M2 motorway, train tracks, and Seaview Stadium leading to Belfast Lough. He had left his south Belfast home by bike that day to meet friends in the Cavehill area.

Professor Carolyn Roberts reported that the vertical metal bars at the Premier Drive stream culvert entrance behind Northwood Road had spacings allowing a large child to climb through. She stated Noah likely entered in the late afternoon, travelled about 600 metres in semi-darkness while crouched, and became disoriented in the complex layout. High tide occurred between 23:30 BST and midnight, five or six hours after his last sighting, filling the culvert with seawater mixed with freshwater and creating drowning conditions.

Roberts assessed it as very likely Noah drowned at that time and location near where his body was recovered. A post-mortem found drowning as the likely cause of death.

Dr Mark Cooper, a Police Service of Northern Ireland expert, examined the culvert refurbished in 2017 by the Department for Infrastructure. He noted a debris screen with 160-165mm bar spacings was installed instead of a security screen, allowing an adult to pass through. Cooper stated further inquiries were needed into why the department omitted a security screen.

Cooper reported the pre-refurbishment risk assessment focused on risks to Rivers Agency staff, not the public, despite a nearby children's playground. He said no consideration was given to unauthorised access.

Jeremy Benn, a hydrologist for the Department for Infrastructure, reported that screens like the one installed do not eliminate flooding or injury risks and are typical of hundreds of structures across Northern Ireland.

The jury inquest at Belfast Coroner's Court resumed after the Easter break and continues.