'Inappropriate' social media posts about Noah inquest passed to Attorney General

Inappropriate social media content relating to the Noah Donohoe inquest has been passed to the Attorney General (AG) for Northern Ireland.

The Coroner Mr Justice Rooney has referred matters to the AG on a number of occasions during the ongoing inquest into the disappearance and death of the schoolboy in north Belfast in June 2020.

The latest referral to the AG came in relation to social media postings during the evidence of a senior witness from the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).

Rooney said any social media postings "could be serious" not only for the inquest but also for the person responsible for them.

The AG may bring proceedings for contempt of court where conduct risks interfering with the administration of justice, including in the context of ongoing civil or criminal proceedings.

Det Ch Insp (DCI) Tom Phillips completed his evidence on Wednesday after giving evidence at the inquest across three days.

The coroner explained that he was made aware of social media published specifically in relation to the evidence of DCI Phillips before the witness had completed his evidence.

Rooney said: "I have previously and repeatedly warned against inappropriate use of social media in relation to this inquest.

"I made it absolutely clear that no one should engage in any social media activity which might prejudice the inquest."

Rooney added that specific social media posts have been brought to his attention during the course of the inquest.

"The coroner's service have been in contact with the office of the attorney general who will be looking into matters," he said.

The coroner said: "I am making it absolutely clear that online publication and commentary during the inquest other than accurate press reporting of a witness's evidence, especially a witness whose evidence is incomplete, is something I consider to be entirely inappropriate.

"It may also amount to contempt of court and it has the potential to prejudice a jury."

The body of 14-year-old Noah Donohoe was found in an underground water tunnel six days after his mysterious disappearance on 21 June 2020.

The inquest into his death began at the end of January and it is expected to conclude in the coming weeks.