LAST UPDATE | 27 Jun 2020

POLICE IN Northern Ireland have recovered a body in the search for missing 14-year-old Noah Donohoe. 

The teenager has been missing since last Sunday when he left his home in South Belfast at around 5.30pm. The last sighting of him was reported shortly after 6pm.

A specialist police search and rescue team, who were continuing to search a storm drain complex, recovered the body of a young male in the North Belfast area just before 9.45am.

Members of the public have also assisted in the search for the youngster, and earlier this week police recovered his backpack which included his laptop and a book. 

A PSNI statement this afternoon confirmed that a body is thought to be that of Noah.

Officers said they are continuing to provide support to his family and they have appealed to the public to refrain from speculation.

“It is disappointing that I again need to comment about people circulating a number rumours about Noah’s disappearance which are completely without foundation. This type of commentary and rumour is distressing for Noah’s family and unhelpful,” a spokesperson said.

“An investigation into the circumstances of Noah’s disappearance is continuing, but there is no evidence to suggest foul play.”

Superintendent Muir Clark said that while an official identification has not been completed, they believe the body is the missing 14-year-old, who has not been seen since last Sunday evening.

Supt Clark said the storm drain was almost a kilometre long and the specialist search team found it “extremely challenging”.

Additional reporting from Press Association