NOAH DONOHOE: The inquiry was adjourned for the year after it was set aside for the evening.

The long-running Noah Donohoe inquiry has been adjourned until later this year.

The decision was made just before 1pm BST on Friday due to the approaching holiday arrangements of four members of the jury.

Mr Justice Rooney described the situation as “unprecedented”.

The inquest is investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of Noah Donohoe in north Belfast in June 2020.

The eight men and two women on the jury have been deliberating for more than three days since Tuesday morning.

They stayed until 11:30 p.m. on the third day, Thursday, without getting the unanimous verdict that the court was asking for.

After the trial moved from Laganside Court at around 6pm, the evening proceedings took place in the Royal Courts of Justice.

During an update before 23:30, it was announced that two of the judges will not be available for service on Friday as they are going on scheduled holidays.

Two other members of the jury will be absent from Saturday due to planned holidays.

The number of jurors on the trial may be reduced to a minimum of seven.