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

Coroner Mr Justice Rooney made the decision just before 01:00 BST on Friday because of impending holiday arrangements by four members of the jury.

The inquest has been examining the circumstances of Noah's death after he disappeared and died in north Belfast in June 2020.

His body was found in an underground water tunnel close to the M2 motorway six days after he went missing.

The discovery was made more than 600 metres downstream from the tunnel system entrance which is located close to where Noah was last seen at Northwood Road.

Mr Justice Rooney described the adjournment situation as "unprecedented".

The eight men and two women on the jury had been deliberating over three days since Tuesday morning.

They remained in session on the third day until shortly before 23:30 on Thursday, without reaching the unanimous verdict required by the court.

The late-night sitting took place in the Royal Courts of Justice after the hearing was moved from the adjacent Laganside Court at around 18:00.

During an update before 23:30 it emerged that two of the jurors would be unavailable for service on Friday because they are departing on planned holidays.

It was also revealed that two other jury members would be unavailable from Saturday due to their planned holidays.

The number of jurors at the inquest can drop to a minimum of seven.