Beyond the Headlines: Noah Donohoe Inquest & Jeffrey Donaldson Trial

Beyond the Headlines: Noah Donohoe Inquest & Jeffrey Donaldson Trial

The Noah Donohoe inquest has heard fresh evidence this week, raising new questions about events that continue to resonate across Northern Ireland almost six years later.At the same time, the Jeffrey Donaldson case continues to dominate headlines, with testimony bringing renewed focus not just on politics, but on the human impact of allegations of abuse and the people at the centre of the story.We’ll also examine Ireland’s push for tougher restrictions on children’s access to social media. Supporters argue the measures are necessary to protect young people online. Critics question whether such bans can work in practice and what they mean for personal freedoms. This week’s programme looks beyond the headlines and asks a simple question:When some of the biggest stories in the news still leave unanswered questions, where do we look for answers?

NOAH DONOHOE INQUEST: "I CAN'T RECALL"

This week on MOTH News Live, we examine the latest evidence from the Noah Donohoe Inquest, where repeated claims of "I can't recall" from police witnesses have raised fresh questions about CCTV evidence, investigative procedures and the crucial first hours after Noah disappeared. We discuss: 🚲 CCTV operator evidence and the race to track Noah's movements across Belfast 📹 Questions around CCTV retrieval and investigative priorities ⚖️ The evidence of Detective Constable Nick Johnston and repeated memory gaps during questioning 🔍 Daryl Paul, Maria Nolan and what investigators were focused on while Noah was still missing Plus: 🛡️ A separate Belfast safeguarding case involving a music tutor facing serious criminal charges currently before the courts, and what it tells us about safeguarding, institutions and positions of trust. 📱 Oscar examines the rise of the Manosphere, online influencers and the growing impact of digital communities on young men. 💻 Al looks at Pornhub, MindGeek's Irish operations, Grant Thornton's resignation as auditor, and the wider questions around corporate responsibility and accountability. At the heart of today's programme is one question: Who was paying attention?

NOAH DONOHOE INQUEST

“I HAD NO REASON TO BELIEVE ANYONE COULD BE IN THERE.” A PSNI constable has told the Noah Donohoe Inquest that the culvert where Noah’s body was eventually found was “not a priority” during the early search operation. This week: 🚇 Why was the culvert not urgently prioritised? 🌊 Tides, search assumptions & public trust ⚖️ The Jeffrey Donaldson trial begins 💼 Elkstone, investment money & Northern Ireland 🚛 Fuel protests, builders & the realities of doing business in Ireland

NOAH DONOHOE: THE TIDES, THE TUNNEL & THE TRUST GAP

New evidence at the Noah Donohoe Inquest focused on the storm culvert where Noah’s body was found — including testimony about unexplained finger tracking marks inside the tunnel that were reportedly never photographed.We’ll also examine expert evidence around the tides flowing into the culvert from Belfast Lough during the six days Noah was missing:🌊 new moon conditions🌊 strong spring tides🌊 repeated tidal movements inside the drain systemAs questions continue around process, documentation and institutional credibility, we ask:What happens when crucial evidence isn’t preserved — and public trust begins to weaken?Plus:🚔 Oscar looks at policing culture, misogyny and institutional silence following the latest sentencing of former Garda Paul Moody🕵️ A clip from Keith Walsh’s interview with Johnny Vedmore on Irish names, Nicole Junkerman and the Epstein Files📉 Al breaks down the latest from Jobbio and asks whether Manna is quietly pivoting away from Ireland toward the US

RTÉ RAISES MONEY FOR CONSULTANTS IN NEED

This week on MOTH News Live: ⚖️ The latest developments from the Noah Donohoe Inquest — with new scrutiny around the storm drain search, confined-space risk assessments, and questions over how key search decisions were made. 💸 RTÉ faces backlash after revelations that up to €850,000 linked to the distribution of The Late Late Toy Show Appeal charity funds could go toward consultants and administration costs. We ask: when people donate to children’s charities, where do they expect the money to go? 🇬🇧 Oscar looks at the growing controversy surrounding the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery after a damning review raised concerns about leadership, finances, and effectiveness — despite tens of millions already spent. 📉 Plus: Questions around Elkstone - are things falling apart?