Shailesh Vara signed off on a Public Interest Immunity certification ahead of an inquest into the teenager's disappearance and death
Shailesh Vara is facing criticism over his decision to sign a Public Interest Immunity certification (PII) relating to the suspicious circumstances around the death of Noah Donohoe #JusticeForNoahDonohoe
5th August, 2022.
A Cambridgeshire MP has sparked outrage after signing off on an order which could see information about the death of a 14-year-old boy in Belfast concealed during the inquest process. Shailesh Vara, who represents North West Cambridgeshire, signed off on a Public Interest Immunity (PII) certification in relation to the disappearance and death of Noah Donohoe weeks into his appointment as the UK's Northern Ireland Secretary.
Mr Vara is facing calls for the decision to be reversed so that no material is redacted or information withheld during the inquest into Noah's disappearance and death. The teenager, a pupil at St Malachy’s College, was found dead in a storm drain in June 2020 six days after he went missing.
Two years on, his family are still seeking answers and say they will continue to do so in spite of the "obstacles" they face. The Donohoes say that they were given official notice on July 27 that the PII had been signed off and was received by the Police Service of Northern Ireland and Crown Solicitors Office on July 19.
Belfast Live reports that Noah's mum Fiona wrote: "I never thought in my wildest nightmares that Niamh and myself would be fighting for justice for the only person I have loved with all my heart. Beautiful, talented, kind-hearted Noah. He deserves his voice to be heard."
The Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District says she is writing to Shailesh Vara to ask him to reverse his decision.
Cllr Sandra Duffy said: "I will be writing to the British Secretary of State Shailesh Vara asking him to reverse his decision to grant a PII Certificate (Public Interest Immunity Certificate) to conceal information into the case of Noah Donohoe. It is vitally important that Fiona Donohoe and her family and friends get the full truth about the death of 14 year old Noah Donohoe and that there is open and transparency throughout this process.
"I will continue to stand with Fiona Donohoe and her family in their campaign for justice and truth. They deserve nothing less. We need to join together to oppose any effort to cover up the circumstances of Noah’s death."
Sinn Féin Vice President Michelle O'Neill said: "I have raised serious concerns with British Secretary of State, Shailesh Vara, following his approval of a PII certificate to conceal information relating to Noah Donohoe. The PII certificate must be withdrawn now. Fiona and her family deserve full access to truth and justice."
At a Policing Board meeting in March, Assistant Chief Constable Mark McEwan said claims that police were bidding to stop relevant information being disclosed to Noah’s inquest "couldn’t be further from the truth".
"I want to address a misconception about the three files that are being referred to publicly," he said. "There is a belief that we are seeking to remove those three flies in their entirety and in some way keep them hidden from the family. This couldn’t be further from the truth."
A date for a full inquest hearing into Noah's death has yet to be set.
A Northern Ireland Office spokesperson said: "We do not comment on ongoing coronial proceedings."
Follow these links to find out more on this story: Man jailed for stealing Noah Donohoe's bag is accused of theft from a pharmacy in Ballymena.
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