Strabane Vigil for Noah Donohoe : ‘We will hold Noah and Fiona in our hearts always’

Teresa Stewart organised Sunday evening’s vigil at the ‘Tinnies’ with around 200 local people gathering to pay their respects, pray and to stand in solidarity with Noah’s heartbroken mother as she tries to come to terms with the death of her beloved son.

Noah, who was just 14, was last seen close to the Shore Road in north Belfast over a week ago and following a major search operation, his body was found in a drain on Saturday morning.

Teresa Stewart, who went to school with Noah’s aunt, said the whole town is devastated.

“There is a really dark cloud and everybody is feeling it for Fiona and the family.

“We wanted to give local people the chance to stand in solidarity and to show Fiona that she is very much at the forefront of everybody’s minds. She is one of our own and we are close-knit, we all come together, when one suffers, we all suffer.”

After consulting with Noah’s aunt, it was decided that Bryan Adam’s ‘Forever Young’ would be played at the vigil in Strabane, as this was what Fiona used to sing to Noah when he was a child, and Fiona believes it had a special and important message for parents to cherish their children.

“Noah was a beautiful young boy, intelligent, from a very early age, and it is so, so sad. He was Fiona’s entire world,” Teresa said.

There were many tears shed at the vigil and those gathered were told that Strabane “will hold both Noah and Fiona in our hearts always”.

Meanwhile the Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council Brian Tierney is encouraging local people to show their support for the family of the Belfast teenager by signing an online Book of Condolence via the Council website.

Expressing his sadness, Mayor Tierney said: “For a young boy to go out on his bike on a Sunday afternoon and never come home is just heartbreaking.

“As a parent I don’t even want to contemplate the pain and loss the Donohoe family are feeling and my heart goes out to his Mammy and his extended family circle as they try to come to terms with their incredible loss.

“As Mayor, I want to extend sincere condolences on behalf of the people of Derry and Strabane and reassure the family that our thoughts and prayers are with them at this very difficult time. It is truly heartbreaking.”

The book is available for signing now via the following link - www.derrystrabane.com/Book-of-Condolences-for-Noah-Donohue