Noah Donohoe Inquest: Resident's Evidence and Storm Drain Access
The inquest into Noah Donohoe's death continues, with a resident's account of finding a bike outside her house and the storm drain's accessibility taking center stage.
The Storm Drain's Accessibility
The storm drain where Noah's body was found is a key focus. It's located in a wasteland area, accessible through a side gate at Karen Crooks' property on Northwood Road. A 1.8m metal fence surrounds the park, but the only other way to access the storm drain is by trespassing through Ms. Crooks' or a neighbor's property.
Ms. Crooks' Evidence
Ms. Crooks, a resident of Northwood Road, testified that she searched the area around her property after Noah went missing and participated in a community search. She did not search the culvert, however. On the evening of June 21, 2020, she found a bike at the back of her car, which she lifted an hour later. The bike was still there the following night, prompting her to contact the police after seeing a social media post about Noah's disappearance.
CCTV Footage and Access Routes
Ms. Crooks was shown CCTV footage of Northwood Road in the minutes before Noah was seen. A pair of feet was visible in the top right corner, but Ms. Crooks couldn't identify the person. Counsel for Fiona Donohoe, Noah's mother, presented Ms. Crooks with pictures of access routes to the stream and culvert behind her and her neighbors' properties.
The Storm Drain's Safety
Ms. Crooks assumed the grate around the culvert was safe for children, as it was built by a government body. She was never warned about potential dangers. However, a five-year-old son told her he could fit through the grate, raising questions about its safety.
Police Presence
Ms. Crooks mentioned that the police were 'always around' the storm drain in the days following Noah's disappearance. The inquest also heard that several Northwood Road properties had access to the waste ground where the storm drain is located, but trespassing was necessary due to the surrounding metal fence.
Noah's Bike and Disappearance
Ms. Crooks found Noah's bike around 30 minutes after he is believed to have left it on Northwood Road. This evidence is crucial in understanding the sequence of events leading to Noah's disappearance.
Thought-Provoking Questions
The inquest continues, with more witnesses expected to testify. The case raises important questions about the storm drain's accessibility, safety, and the role of the police in the days following Noah's disappearance. The public is encouraged to engage in the discussion and share their thoughts in the comments.
