The long-awaited inquest into the death of schoolgirl Nora Quoirin is set to begin in Malaysia today (Monday), with her parents the first of more than 64 witnesses due to give evidence.
Heartbroken Meabh and Sebastien Quoirin have fought hard to get an inquest into the death of their 15-year-old daughter, who died in Malaysia last year while the Irish-French family were on holiday.
Nora’s body was found near the town of Seremban, in the Negeri Sembilan state, 63km south of Kuala Lumpur following a 10-day hunt for her.
This was two kilometres from the Dusun Rainforest Resort where her family was staying.
Nora’s funeral was later held at St Brigid’s Church in South Belfast, where she was baptised.
Malaysian authorities initially denied an inquest into Nora’s death after a preliminary postmortem examination ruled that she died of intestinal bleeding, possibly caused by hunger or stress.
However, following efforts from the Irish, French and British governments, an inquest will now be held at the Coroner’s Court in Seremban, reports Irish Mirror.
Coroner Maimoonah Aid, who will be presiding over the hearing, last week visited the resort where the family was staying and the site where Nora’s body was found.
Meabh, originally from Belfast, and her husband Sebastien, who now live in London, have said they believe there was a “criminal element” to Nóra’s death as the teen had learning difficulties and would not have wandered off alone.
They have previously said that crucial time and evidence was lost because the Malaysian police insisted on treating her disappearance as a case of a missing person and not as a crime.
The grieving parents are expected to begin evidence via video link tomorrow in the inquest, which is due to run until September 4.
They cannot attend proceedings in person due to coronavirus restrictions.
In July, Ms Quoirin said herself and her husband hope the inquest will fully explore all the circumstances surrounding her daughter’s disappearance and death.
At the time, she said: “We feel it is really important not just to stand up for Nóra but all the children who have special needs.”
