Noah Donohoe's mum has made an emotional appeal to other parents, eight months on from his disappearance.

In an interview aired on Tuesday morning, Fiona Donohoe recalled her final moments with her 14-year-old child, before he went missing.

Fiona hugged her only son and told him she loved him - this would be the last time they'd share their infectious bond.

Noah went missing on June 21, last year and six days later his body was found in a storm drain complex in North Belfast.

Eight months on and the Donohoe family, along with thousands of supporters, are attempting to find answers on the disappearance and death of Noah.

Fiona and her sister Niamh spoke to Virgin Media One’s ‘Ireland AM’, presenter Tommy Bowe about their heartache.

Fiona said: "Day by day and sometimes moment by moment it can fluctuate but because of my sister and family and the public support, it keeps me going because I know Noah is so around me. We can only keep going forward in this.

"Noah was the light of my life. He was just so humorous. He used to do voice overs and voices and they would crack me up. Whenever you were telling him off for something he'd turn it around and you'd have to laugh. He was so enthusiastic about life. We were best friends. Thank god for Niamh because I would be lost because me and Noah did everything together.

"I miss him so much. His hugs and his love. I know he is protecting and guiding me. I feel him constantly but it is hard. He had so much enthusiasm for everything and whatever activity he could get into. He was an old soul with such a young vibrant spirit. "

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Fiona went back to Sunday June 21, the day Noah went missing.

She said her son had arranged to meet a friend at Cavehill but when she did not received a phonecall from Noah, she knew something wasn't right.

"Noah had met his friend the day before and they had an amazing time then he arranged with his other best friend to go to Cavehil," she added.

"Because Noah hadn't seen his friends in so long because of Covid, I let him go. Like anytime, we hugged, and I know this is our blessing, I know every parent does this but they should do it a wee bit more now.

Noah Donohoe

"We hugged all the time and said we loved each other all the time. I was able to give him a hug as usual and tell him I loved him. I am so grateful for that. I never knew I wasn't going to see him again and to have that as our final thing gives me some comfort.

"We had arranged for Noah to phone me. We had an understanding of safety and I told him to phone me at 6.30pm. He didn't phone. I kept phoning him and I knew something wasn't right. It was so out of character. I phoned my friend to come up so I could do the journey. Me and Noah knew that journey.

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"My friend drove me to Cavehill. I kept worrying and it was getting darker. I didn't want to phone the police because once I phoned the police I knew I was making it real that something wasn't right."

A missing persons appeal for Noah saw thousands come out in support of the Donohoe family.

From this, Noah's Army has formed, a community of people devoted to helping the fight for answers.

And after they get their answers, Fiona says the Noah Donohoe Foundation will continue to keep her son's memory alive.

Niamh Donohoe has been by her sisters' side through the hardest days of their lives.

On Tuesday she said: "The last eight months have been difficult. Seeing Fiona's pain is horrible and I am in complete awe of her. I don't know how she gets up and keeps going everyday. I don't know if I would manage as well as she."

A full inquest into the death of Noah Donohoe is fixed for January 2022.
