Cambridge MP faces accusations of 'concealing information' about the suspicious circumstances surrounding the death of the 14-year-old Noah Donohoe.

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.

READ MORE: North West Cambridgeshire MP Shailesh Vara appointed new Secretary of State for NI

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.

        A Nationwide protest has been                 organised by 'Noah’s Army' for                     'Justice   For Noah' at Belfast City                Hall on 13th August, 2022 at                     1.00pm against the use of PII

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."

With many thanks to: Cambridgeshire Live and Orlaith Clinton and Joanna Taylor (Live reporters) for the original publication. 

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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Gerry Kelly accuses NI Secretary of State Shailesh Vara of helping police 'cover up' Noah Donohoe's death

Cambs MP faces accusations of 'concealing information' after death of 14-year-old

Noah Donohoe inquest should be heard by jury family lawyer says.

THE INQUEST into Noah’s death is scheduled to begin on November 28th and expected to run for around three weeks. 

   Fourteen-year-old Noah Donohoe was      found dead in a storm drain in north         Belfast in June 2020, six days after he                           went missing. 

April 26th, 2022. 

An inquest into the death of Noah Donohoe should be heard in front of a jury, a lawyer of the schoolboy's family has said. 

        Demand a Public Inquiry for Noah                                   Donohoe 

The inquest into Noah’s death is scheduled to begin on November 28th and run for approximately three weeks. 

The 14-year-old pupil at St Malachy's College in Belfast, was found dead in suspicious circumstances in a storm drain in north Belfast in June 2020, six days after he went missing. 

His mother Fiona is hoping to secure answers to some of the questions surrounding his death through the inquest process. 

We have not yet grappled with the issue of whether this is going to be a jury inquest. 

At a pre-inquest review hearing, Brenda Campbell QC, representing Ms Donohoe, raised concerns over the November date. 

    NOAH DONOHOE: (14) forever young 

She said: "We are very appreciative of the difficulties that the listing of this inquest has, we know the pressures on the court. 

"The date gives us three, three and a half weeks before the Christmas break and there a very significant number of both complex and distressing issues to be considered and we are concerned that might not be enough time." 

She added: "We have not yet grappled with the issue of whether this is going to be a jury inquest. 

"In our submission it should be a matter that is considered by a jury. 

"If that is the case, and we have been working on the assumption that it will be, again that inevitably adds to time and the impact of any break." 

    Noah Donohoe's mother Fiona arrives       at Laganside Court House in Belfast for      an earlier hearing (Brian Lawless/PA) 

Coroner Joe McCrisken said he would welcome written submissions from Noah’s family on the issue of whether the inquest should be held with a jury. 

The hearing was also told that an application from the PSNI/RUC to prevent certain information being disclosed to the inquest would be sent to the *orthern Ireland Office for approval by a minister "imminently". 

Council for the coroner, Sean Doran QC, said that the PSNI/RUC had completed their consideration of Public Interest Immunity (PII) certification on sensitive material. 

He said: "It remains a matter for the relevant government authority whether a PII certificate will be issued." 

Barrister for the PSNI/RUC, Donal Lunny QC, told the hearing that the deputy chief constable Mark Hamilton had examined the PII applications in "some detail" and this had prompted a "reconsideration of a number of proposed redactions". 

I urge the NIO, once they receive the papers, to carry out this exercise as quickly as possible 

Coroner Joe McCrisken

He added: "That work was resumed and completed yesterday and that material will be passed on to the NIO imminently. I would expect that to be done this week. 

"Once they have it they should be able to give an indication as to how long it will take for their minister to consider it and decide whether or not to grant a public interest immunity certificate." 

Mr McCrisken said: "I urge the NIO, once they receive the papers, to carry out this exercise as quickly as possible." 

Ms Campbell said: "The volume of material I understand is three folders, in the region of 188 pages, 120 pages and 200 pages. 

"The proposed redactions, as we understand it, are to the minimum possible." 

The next pre-inquest review hearing will be held on July 1st. 

With many thanks to the: Belfast Telegraph and Jonathan Mccambridge, PA  for the original publication.

Follow this link to find out more: Noah Donohoe inquest should be heard by jury family lawyer says.