Noah Donohoe ” A Beautiful Soul” – The 14-year-old Noah Donohoe went missing after leaving home on Sunday, 21st June, 2020.
A huge search that involved hundreds of members of the public as well as the public went out in search of Noah.
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Noah’s body was later found in a storm drain in North Belfast last week. According to police, it is believe he fell off his bike and sustained a head injury.
The 14-year-old was described as “a beautiful soul … who was just full of the joy of living” during his funeral.
Only a small number of immediate family and friends walked behind the hearse and entered the church, in compliance with the social distancing, while dozens stood outside and watched.
His funeral service took place in St Patrick’s Church in the city centre after his cortège arrived before 11am.
Fiona Donohoe in her words urged parents to “embrace them and cherish them, for every moment with them is precious”. She has expressed her “overwhelming gratitude” for “the support, outpouring of love, and empathy” her family received.
Fr. Micheal McGinnity of St Patrick’s Church describes Noah’s death as ” a tangible sense of shock and disbelief” and a sadness that could not be put into words. “So much has been written and said about Noah that has touched the hearts of everyone in this city.” He said.
Fr. Micheal McGinnity continues: “But what has stayed with me are the words of Fiona when she spoke to me last Sunday night.
“She said ‘I have been so blessed. Noah was a beautiful soul with a beautiful mind. He poured a whole lifetime of love into my life in 14 short years’.
“What a wonderful tribute from a mother to her son who is such a godsend to her.”
According to the priest, Noah “met life with a sense of wonder at everything around him and in him”.
“He had a natural curiosity about life. Every day he wanted to know more about the world and his place in it. Noah was the kind of boy who was just full of the joy of living.
“Whether he was on the basketball court or playing his cello or just having fun with friends, he savoured every moment.”
The Priest, talking to the family said: “None of us can begin to imagine the depth of your sorrow and the visceral depth of your grief.
“At the same time, as we gather here in St Patrick’s Church, very conscious of your gratitude to so many people who have reached out to you and your family in your hour of need.
“We think today of people from across the community who took to the streets, day after day, in search of Noah.
“We also remember the police and rescue teams who were relentless in their efforts to find him.”
After the funeral service the cortège went to Noah’s school and several hundred people followed.
While the funeral was taking place, pupils and staff at St Malachy’s College in north Belfast held their own prayer service.
The school gates where turned into floral tribute. Pupils and staff lined up the driveway while the cortège made its way through taking Noah down its drive for the last time.