Likely Noah Donohoe entered culvert through bars, says expert

An engineering expert has told an inquest that it was most likely Noah Donohoe entered the culvert where his body was found via the metal bars.

Brian Pope, a chartered engineer, said that the likelihood of Noah entering the culvert through a hatch or manhole was very unlikely.

The 14-year-old's body was found in an underground water tunnel six days after he disappeared in north Belfast almost six years ago.

On Friday, Pope told the inquest poor visibility and cold weather would have created conditions for drowning.

He said that as an engineer he "can read pipe work" but if you are not familiar with it "then it would have been a potentially confusing situation".

Pope also said that the body of the culvert in his view would be dark and that "there would be some light at the inlet and a small amount at the manholes but that wouldn't penetrate much into the culvert itself".

Dr Mark Cooper, an expert in health and safety, also gave evidence on Friday.

During the hearing the jury was shown a map of the manholes along the culvert.

Pope and Cooper were both asked about their views in relation to fencing around the culvert.

Pope said that from his perspective nearby fencing in Linear Park "would prevent unauthorised access from the majority of the public, but wouldn't exclude it completely".

Cooper said that when it came to the fencing he "felt very strongly" and that it was "a mixed picture".

He told the inquest anybody who had access to the properties could, in turn, get to the gardens – where there isn't fencing.

Cooper also told the hearing that being in a confined space affects people in different ways.

"Some are very able and some you wouldn't want them to do it – as they are claustrophobic – it's person dependent."

Neasa Murnaghan, a barrister for the Department for Infrastructure (DfI), asked Pope and Cooper about the differences between a security screen and a debris screen, which are placed over culverts.

The inquest heard that the DFI has 2,200 culverts and that 776 of those have screens.

During questioning from Murnaghan, Pope told the hearing: "The first imperative is to try and design a culvert without a screen."

The inquest continues.