Belfast’s newest functioning bridge will be named after Noah Donohoe, after a big public response during consultation.
The decision was made unanimously by Belfast councillors during restricted items away from the public during its Strategic Policy and Resources Committee meeting on Friday morning. The decision will be ratified in the next full council meeting.
Sinn Féin Councillor Ryan Murphy proposed the measure, which gained cross party support. He said after the meeting: “Pleased that Belfast City Council has backed a proposal to name the new Lagan Gateway Bridge after young Noah Donohoe.
Read more: Noah Donohoe: Vara offers to meet mum Fiona over withholding of information
“There was huge public demand for this, and it is welcome news that it will now happen. We will continue to support the Donohoe family every step of the way in their search for truth, transparency and accountability.”
The 14 year old was found dead in a storm drain in north Belfast in 2020 and since then has been at the centre of widespread concern about the nature of his death and how it happened.
The South Belfast bridge, which spans the Lagan from the Annadale Avenue area to the towpath at Stranmillis, was opened last year.
The public was asked to suggest names for the bridge in a consultation last year with more than 1,600 people getting in touch. The vast majority of suggestions were for a name remembering Noah.
Alliance Councillor Michael Long said: “We were happy to support the name. It falls outside our normal naming policy - people who have died within the last five years wouldn’t normally be eligible - but obviously in this case, because of the exceptional impact that Noah has had in local people’s lives in Belfast, and his death, we thought that it was a fitting tribute.
“The public response was so strong in favour of it being named in his honour that we felt it was an appropriate way forward, and that we would set aside any rules. Hopefully it will get the family some comfort. It is in a difficult set of circumstances, but it is important his name is not forgotten, and hopefully this will play a part in keeping his memory alive.”
Several thousand people protested in Belfast city centre earlier this month over a PSNI application to withhold some information from an inquest into the death of Noah.
A Public Interest Immunity (PII) certificate has been signed by Northern Ireland Secretary Shailesh Vara. The teenager’s mother believes it is an attempt to cover up the circumstances of her son’s death. The police have insisted only a small amount of information will be withheld regarding issues such as computer software used in investigations.
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