Court Case About the Death of Noah Donohoe

May 13, 2026, 15:04
EuropeSociety

Introduction

A court is looking at how a 14-year-old boy died in a water pipe in Belfast.

Main Body

Jonathan McKee works for the government. He says the area was safe. There were fences and locked gates. He thinks people did not go there because it was private. McKee says the government cannot stop all accidents. He says more fences were not possible. The government put a metal screen in the water to stop people. In 2017, the government fixed the pipe and the steps. This did not make it easier to enter. However, heavy rain makes the water rise fast. This is very dangerous.

Conclusion

The court is still talking about how the government managed the site.

Learning

⚡ The 'Action' Word: Make

In this story, we see the word make used in a special way. It doesn't mean building a house; it means causing a change.

Look at these patterns:

  • Rain →\rightarrow makes the water rise.
  • Changes →\rightarrow did not make it easier.

How to use it at A2 level: Use Make + Object + Description to explain why something happens.

Example: "The loud music makes me tired."

🧩 Vocabulary Bridge

Private ↔\leftrightarrow Public

If a place is private (like the area in the story), you cannot go there without permission. If a place is public (like a park), everyone can enter.

Vocabulary Learning

court
a place where legal matters are decided
Example:The court is still talking about how the government managed the site.
water
a clear liquid that covers most of the earth
Example:Heavy rain makes the water rise fast.
pipe
a tube that carries water or gas
Example:A 14‑year‑old boy died in a water pipe in Belfast.
government
the group that runs a country
Example:Jonathan McKee works for the government.
safe
not dangerous or harmful
Example:He says the area was safe.
dangerous
likely to cause harm or injury
Example:This is very dangerous.