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Stephen McCullagh has been convicted of the murder of Natalie McNally, who was found dead at her home in Lurgan in December 2022 while 15 weeks pregnant. McCullagh, 36, from Lisburn, had denied killing his partner, but the jury took just over two hours to reach a guilty verdict. The announcement of the verdict at Belfast Crown Court was met with cheers from those present.
Following the verdict, Natalie’s brother, Declan, spoke outside the court, describing his sister as an inspirational figure whose presence had brought immense joy to their lives. He said, “Having you in our lives was the greatest joy we’ll ever have” and expressed his belief that Natalie would have been “an amazing mother to baby Dean.” Declan also highlighted the broader issue of violence against women, calling it “the shame of our society” and voicing hope that victims and their families receive justice in court.
The trial spanned over four weeks, with the jury reviewing evidence including CCTV footage and a six-hour pre-recorded online gaming stream that McCullagh broadcast on the night of the murder. McCullagh had falsely presented the stream as live for more than a month and during multiple police interviews, until officers established it had been prerecorded. The prosecution argued this allowed McCullagh time to travel to Lurgan, commit the attack, change clothes, and attempt to return home, although he eventually took a taxi instead of the train he missed. He returned the following evening to notify authorities of Natalie’s death via an emotional 999 call.
Throughout the case, police examined thousands of hours of CCTV which tracked McCullagh’s movements, supporting the prosecution’s timeline. The defense suggested another individual, Natalie’s former partner, as responsible, but he was arrested, questioned, and extensively cross-examined during the trial. After the verdict, Justice Kinney reminded McCullagh that the offence carries a life sentence, and a sentencing hearing has been scheduled for mid-May. The judge praised the McNally family’s dignity and thanked the jury for enduring the distressing evidence. Outside the court, the family expressed gratitude to the police and prosecutors for their work in securing justice.
First Minister Michelle O’Neill paid tribute to Natalie on social media, describing her as “a beautiful and talented young woman” who was “taken in the most monstrous and grotesque way.” She extended her sympathies to Natalie’s parents and family, acknowledging their powerful advocacy against violence targeting women and girls. O’Neill emphasized the urgent need to prevent such tragedies, stating, “No family should ever go through what the McNally’s have. We must do all we can to end violence against women and girls.”
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