The State of Us

A special series from The State of Us podcast. In the summer of 2020, 14-year-old Noah Donohoe went missing in Belfast. Six days later his body was found in a storm drain. His disappearance and death dominated the headlines for five and a half years. In September the jury found that it was possible, but not probable, failings by the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) over the culvert in which he was found dead contributed to his death. They also found numerous failings in the Police Service of Northern Ireland's (PSNI) investigation but that these did not contribute to Noah’s death. Most of the reporting restrictions have now been lifted by the court meaning Tara Mills and Declan Harvey can reveal some of the details from the inquest which they couldn’t report on previously.

A special series from The State of Us podcast. In the summer of 2020, 14-year-old Noah Donohoe went missing in Belfast. Six days later his body was found in a storm drain. His disappearance and death dominated the headlines for five and a half years. In September the jury found that it was possible, but not probable, failings by the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) over the culvert in which he was found dead contributed to his death. They also found numerous failings in the Police Service of Northern Ireland's (PSNI) investigation but that these did not contribute to Noah’s death. Most of the reporting restrictions have now been lifted by the court meaning Tara Mills and Declan Harvey can reveal some of the details from the inquest which they couldn’t report on previously.

Chloe Mitchell was missing for a week before her remains were found. The 21-year-old was last seen on CCTV in Ballymena near her home in the early hours of a Saturday morning in June 2023. Brandon Rainey denies murdering her and preventing the lawful burial of Chloe’s remains. In this series from The State of Us podcast, Tara Mills and Declan Harvey take you inside the courtroom, bringing you the evidence as it unfolds each day. The judge in the murder trial has discharged the jury. A new jury will be selected in two weeks’ time.

A High Court judge dismisses a legal bid to overturn the Secretary of State’s decision banning a contentious Orange Order parade down the mainly nationalist Garvaghy Road in Portadown. In his lengthy judgment Mr Justice Scoffield said the decision, taken on October 9, had been “lawful”. Judicial review proceedings were brought by a member of Portadown District Lodge against Sir Chris Bryant and the PSNI chief constable Jon Boutcher. The Secretary of State's intervention to stop the parade came after a security assessment he received from Boutcher. Declan Harvey and Mark Simpson were in court and bring you the detail from 59-page judgment.

As a preview to The State of Us live show at the Belfast Media Festival in November Tara Mills and Declan Harvey take an in-depth look at the popularity of court podcasts. Why are people so fascinated with the detail from inside trials and inquests. Register here to be in the audience on November 10th belfastmediafestival.co.uk.

The outcome of the most recent legal challenge of the decisions on the Drumcree march will be revealed next week. Today, lawyers for Garvaghy Road residents said they should not be conflated with dissident republicans. The PSNI’s barrister said mentions of the Provisional IRA were outside the confines of this case, and concerns should be taken up with the Policing Board.

Garvaghy Road residents lost their bid to challenge the Parades Commission's decision in the Court of Appeal today. What arguments were made? Why did the right to march win out? And what does this ruling mean for other Orange Order parades across Northern Ireland?

Police intelligence found dissident republicans may have mounted gun attacks on officers had they cleared a path for a parade on the Garvaghy Road. Loyalist paramilitaries were also "depicting signs of frustration". The intelligence was revealed at Belfast High Court today, where Sir Chris Bryant’s decision to ban the contentious parade is being challenged by the Portadown Orange Order.

A special programme from The State of Us podcast. Tara Mills and Declan Harvey report on the fifteen year prison sentence handed down to Jeffrey Donaldson for child sex abuse. The former DUP leader was convicted in June of rape, gross indecency and indecent assault of two women when they were children. The programme hears what the judge said to the sixty three old former MP and knight of the realm, and also hears statements from the two victims and the police.

The Secretary of State  says his decision to ban the Orange Order’s Drumcree parade was taken in the best interests of peace. His action came after an agreement couldn’t be reached between the Portadown District Lodge and the Garvaghy Road residents. Sir Chris Bryant said he received advice from the Chief Constable that allowing the march down the mainly nationalist area could lead to serious injury, disorder and wider unrest. The State of Us hears more about what prompted his decision, gets reaction from those involved  and asks what happens next.