AI software used in Noah Donohoe’s inquest expired. The coroner worries about delaying CCTV review.
Justice Rooney held a review because of the AI matter. It happened at the Royal Courts of Justice in Belfast. Noah died in a storm drain in Belfast back in June 2020.
Noah went missing for six days. He was 14, and he rode his bike to meet friends. The court heard the PSNI used AI to check CCTV footage. This was to see if Noah left home early, before he disappeared.
The court learned about the AI expiration. The coroner’s counsel wanted to review footage. Donal Lunny KC, representing the PSNI, said no one knew the software expired in January.
A solicitor found the issue and told the PSNI to buy the software quickly. Lunny hopes the purchase completes by February 17. He regrets not telling the coroner sooner.
Lunny explained the PSNI must buy it, and public bodies like the PSNI have processes. He said they are speeding things up, though. Authorities have approved purchasing licenses.
Lunny hopes the software will be ready on February 17. The software company still needs to respond, but they do not foresee any problems.
Noah’s mother, Fiona Donohoe, wants answers. She seeks them through the inquest, and the full inquest should happen before summer.
Brenda Campbell KC represents Ms. Donohoe. She said the family learned about the AI problem through a notification for the review hearing. She thanked the coroner for attention.
The coroner said he wrote to the police and learned the software was only a trial. He worried about delaying the CCTV review.
The coroner explained the Crown solicitors acted to stop it from becoming a problem. He is happy with their progress, and he is glad they had the review. The next review hearing is on February 26.
