Two of Northern Ireland’s MPs have written to police over the use of Public Interest Immunity (PII) certification on information relating to the death of Belfast teenager Noah Donohoe. It comes as a change.org petition calling for full information disclosure in the upcoming inquest edges close to 300,000 signatures. Reports state that the PSNI has accepted the petition.
DUP MP Jim Shannon has called for the “full disclosure of all facts” in the investigation into the death of 14-year-old Noah, a pupil at St Malachy’s Grammar School, whose body was found in a storm drain in June 2020. Noah was found six days after he went missing from his home in the Holylands area of South Belfast after leaving to meet up with friends. Many questions about what happened to the much-loved, ‘gentle’ and ‘talented’ schoolboy remain unanswered almost two years on from his tragic death.
Noah’s mother, Fiona Donohoe, has blasted the PSNI for seeking a PII certificate to block material on the case being provided during the upcoming inquest – for which a date has yet to be finalised. Appealing for transparency into the investigation into the death of her son in a viral interview in January, Fiona criticised the PSNI while also appealing to witnesses to come forward with information to piece together the puzzle that remains unsolved almost two years after her son’s death.
A public-interest immunity is a principle under which courts can grant a court order allowing one litigant to refrain from disclosing evidence to the other litigants where disclosure would be damaging to the public interest. This is an exception to the usual rule that all parties in litigation must disclose any evidence that is relevant to the proceedings.
PII orders have previously been used in criminal law against large organised criminal outfits and drug dealers where the identity of paid police informants could be at risk.
In January, Ms Donohoe said: “We will never be able to get justice if we don’t get the information.” She said she believes pressure needs to be put on the Secretary of State, who will make the decision whether or not to release the files relating to the investigation in full.
“I will not let this happen,” the much-loved school boy’s mother said of the possibility of the police obtaining a PII certificate.
In a tweet on Wednesday, Strangford MP Mr Shannon said he had written to the PPS and the PSNI to ask for assurance that full disclosure of information relating to the case would be achieved.
“Today I have written to the PPS (Public Prosecution Service) and PSNI to ask for assurance that full disclosure of all facts, evidence and relevant information to the investigation of the tragic death of young Noah Donohoe will be made and that PIIs will not form part of the process seeking justice for Noah,” Mr Shannon said.
Meanwhile, SDLP MP for South Belfast, Claire Hanna, said she had also written to police over the potential use of a PII certificate, and said she asked “for assurances that all relevant information will be disclosed to his adoring & grieving family, and that the Coroner will have access to all those materials.”
A change.org petition calling for the release of ‘sensitive material’ related to the investigation into Noah’s death has gathered over 290,000 signatures so far. That number continues to grow as pressure to release the files mounts.
Last week, Noah’s mother Fiona also thanked Sinn Féin MP John Finucane, who shared the petition to his 33,000 Twitter followers.
Mr Finucane said that Fiona and “her family must have justice,” adding that “justice must also be seen to be done.” He added: “There is huge concern around the death of Noah Donohoe & the subsequent investigation.
“I’ve signed this petition along with 280,000 others & urge you to also.”
Thankyou for constantly being a voice for Noah 💙 https://t.co/d6fPDOtCvn
— Justice For Noah Donohoe (@FIONADONOHOE2) February 24, 2022
Fiona Donohoe also said it was “heartening” to see people from across the political divide in the North unite on the campaign for justice for her son, retweeting a message from a Baptist Minister who praised politicians for coming together on the issue.
So heartening to see our unity,for Noah,for our children 💙💙💙 https://t.co/Y0I1hjClL6
— Justice For Noah Donohoe (@FIONADONOHOE2) February 23, 2022
It is great to see politicians from all sides come together to ask for full disclosure regarding the tragic death of precious Noah Donohue. I hope others will do the same.👏 👏
We all need to get our shoulders to the wheel in support of this- his mamma so deserves this! 💚 https://t.co/r4gVlUCVMv
— Rev Karen Sethuraman (@KarenSethuraman) February 23, 2022