Australia Australia - William Tyrrell, 3, Kendall, Nsw, 12 Sept 2014 - #43

[deugirtni]

Interesting that the white van was searched during/around the same time period as the 'forensic search' last year, when GJ and his coworker had that disagreement apparently about which POI to focus on first?

 

[sleepinoz]

It was aroubd the same time as WTs abduction. I thought maybe they might be asked about where he took them, if he had any toys in his van..things like that? Long shot I know...

Possible, but wouldn't they already have that history?

 

[sleepinoz]

I don't think this Rob is the man, though. Wrong age. It seems he joined NSWFB in 1975, but sex offender Robert's older brother Tim is 45.

NSWFB - where is it mentioned he joined the Fire Brigade? I thought he was an SES member.

 

[sleepinoz]

In the paperwork, they don't name the victims' names, so isn't it possible they might want a closed court if those people were to testify?

It's possible, but I can't see why they would want them. They have all the evidence from them, and he's been convicted.

 

[deugirtni]

NSWFB - where is it mentioned he joined the Fire Brigade? I thought he was an SES member.

I had initially thought that the man in the article (Robert) was the father of the man being discussed at inquest, as 'the father' also has a son named with the same name as this new POI's brother.. but wrong family I suppose, since the reporter stated the POI's brother is older, but in the article (since deleted) said the brother was the 'youngest' son. Sorry for the confusion!

Video was shown at the inquest of detectives searching in August 2018 Donohoe’s van hidden in a shed on a Wagga property where his older brother, Tim, and parents lived.
‘Creepy’ sex offender lived minutes away

while the article I had referenced said:
Mr Donohoe’s youngest son, Tim, served two years with the Hay Fire Brigade before resigning when his trade took him away from Hay.

 

[JLZ]

NSWFB - where is it mentioned he joined the Fire Brigade? I thought he was an SES member.

The article Deugirtni posted concerned a "Rob" Donohue who was in the NSWFB, but we've agreed Rob isn't Robert the sex offender because Rob would be too old, and Robert probably isn't one of Rob's sons because Rob's youngest son is Tim, whereas . . . never mind.

 

[sleepinoz]

NSWFB - where is it mentioned he joined the Fire Brigade? I thought he was an SES member.

Don't worry , I found the article after my post I don't think this is the same family though.

 

[deugirtni]

Possible, but wouldn't they already have that history?

It seems to me that they already have all of the history that has been discussed at the inquest to date?

 

[sleepinoz]

It seems to me that they already have all of the history that has been discussed at the inquest to date?

My thoughts exactly, so why would they need the victims to testify?

 

[SouthAussie]

It's possible, but I can't see why they would want them. They have all the evidence from them, and he's been convicted.

I also cannot see how their evidence would relate to William.
They are young men who were befriended by Donohue and sexually used by means of that friendship.
It is not on any parallel with what is thought to have happened to 3-year old William - abducted then .....

I have a feeling that it is the white van, the proximity to Benaroon Drive, and perhaps no verifiable alibi, that may have some bearing with Donohue in William's case.

 

[JLZ]

My thoughts exactly, so why would they need the victims to testify?

I agree, unless they knew something relevant to William's case that wasn't relevant to the trial. Say that the offender had disclosed a predilection for children in spiderman suits.

 

[deugirtni]

We’re for Sydney | Daily Telegraph

NoCookies | The Australian

If anyone can post a bit of the articles, it would be greatly appreciated!

 

[deugirtni]

My thoughts exactly, so why would they need the victims to testify?

So far, from what I have read, it seems that police already had all of the evidence tendered, so why have any of them testify?

 

[deugirtni]

I wonder how many days the inquest will be 'closed' for these 5 witnesses to testify?

 

[Angeline]

If Donahoe's station wagon was the one seen on Benaroon Drive, I wonder what his connection to Benaroon Drive was? It's been said throughout this whole investigation that you only go onto that road if you live there or are visiting someone. Police seem to think it was someone acting on their impulses, not planned.

Oh, and finally those very old articles about the tennis club make sense. They were investigating this guy. Amazing that his name was kept quiet for so long, unlike other POIs.

 

[Thebottomline]

I wonder how many days the inquest will be 'closed' for these 5 witnesses to testify?

Almost 1/2 way into second week and not much we’ve learnt beside RD. Hope it’s not all closed from here on in

 

[Thebottomline]

If Donahoe's station wagon was the one seen on Benaroon Drive, I wonder what his connection to Benaroon Drive was? It's been said throughout this whole investigation that you only go onto that road if you live there or are visiting someone. Police seem to think it was someone acting on their impulses, not planned.

Oh, and finally those very old articles about the tennis club make sense. They were investigating this guy.

I think it was a Suzuki van.

 

[purpleandgreen]

I think it was a Suzuki van.

Yes, not a station wagon.

 

[Angeline]

Ah right, I just finished reading an article that said it was a van that looked like a station wagon.

 

[SouthAussie]

We’re for Sydney | Daily Telegraph

NoCookies | The Australian

If anyone can post a bit of the articles, it would be greatly appreciated!

The DT article is titled "Convicted sex offender slept in van in same town where William Tyrrell vanished"
It doesn't say much more than we already have heard. Speaks of Donohue's convictions for intercourse without consent of two intellectually disabled men.
Says he worked at Woolworths Caltex at Lakewood. Shows a pic of Sharon Starr. Says how he would sleep in his van at Kendall pool or Kendall showgrounds if he worked a Friday night then had to work on the Saturday afternoon.
Also says that Woolworths would have his roster for the period when William went missing. (My note: if the police don't have that roster already, they better hurry up. 5 years is the limit for how long an entity must retain its financial and other records.)

The Australian article is by Caroline Overington (who is now Associate Editor) and is titled "William Tyrrell inquiry hears of SES member being interviewed by police"
Says Donohue took part in the search for William as a member of the Taree SES ... had a small, white van, a bit like a station wagon, in which he would sleep between shifts instead of driving home to Taree where he lived at the time.
Says FM saw a small white station wagon parked outside on the morning of 12th Sept 2014.
Speaks of his conviction, and how his van was taken to his father's place in Wagga Wagga while he served time.
The court was shown video of police opening the dad's garage and searching the van.
Nothing else we haven't heard yet in the article.