Mother of tragic teen Noah Donohoe calls for 'justice' as thousands gather for vigil

Fiona Donohoe spoke outside the gates of Stormont on Thursday night after leading a cavalcade of hundreds of cars through city as part of an ongoing campaign by her family who say unanswered questions remain over the 14 year-old's death.

Supporters - including some NHS workers in their uniforms - socially distanced to line the streets to show their support for the grieving mother who has called for a "thorough investigation" into the circumstances of the teen's tragic passing.

Banners and posters with the schoolboy's image and name lined the route which set off from Black's Road Park and Ride at around 5.45pm.

Vehicles packed out the car park before following the family's car throughout the city.

The convoy ended at Parliament Buildings where Fiona paid an emotional tribute to her son.

Tying a blue ribbon to the gates, she also attached a touching note with a poem to the railings.

It was signed off with the words: "We are Noah's voice and we will keep calling his name for answers".

Speaking afterwards Fiona said: "This is only one part of the journey to Stormont for justice and answers, and we will get them.

"This is the start of a new year but not the end of our journey and we are going to keep going, because there is more than this.

"(We want) the truth....we want answers. If I knew the truth I wouldn't be standing here. All I want is for a thorough investigation for my son, for every child in Northern Ireland.

"Every parent should know that their child should be able to go out and come home safely."

She was supported by her sister Niamh, who added: "All we want is the truth."

Noah's body was discovered in a north Belfast storm drain six days after going missing on Sunday, June 21.

His disappearance sparked one of the biggest missing person search operations ever to have taken place in Northern Ireland.

At the time, PSNI Superintendent Muir Clarke described the boy's disappearance as "one of the most unusual missing persons enquiries" he had ever dealt with.

A post-mortem report later stated the boy died as a result of drowning.

The schoolboy had set off from his south Belfast home to meet friends in Cavehill Country Park, but never made it.

He was last seen cycling unclothed in the Northwood Drive area of north Belfast, close to the entrance of the storm drain where his remains were found by search and rescue workers.

A full inquest into his death is due to take place this year.