Natalie McNally's family praised for their 'quiet dignity and immense strength'
Natalie McNally’s family have been commended for showing immense dignity and courage throughout not only the five-week murder trial, but also continually since her brutal death.
Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart led tributes to the Lurgan woman’s parents Noel and Bernie, her brothers and the wider family.
Speaking after the jury found Stephen McCullagh guilty of Ms McNally’s murder, the DUP MP said: “We stand with the McNally family in heartbreak and remembrance as they continue to face an unimaginably painful ordeal.
"They have endured the devastating loss of Natalie and her unborn son, the betrayal of someone they trusted in their home, and the past five weeks of a trial that exposed deeply personal and private moments.
"Through it all, they have shown quiet dignity and immense strength.
"Natalie was deeply loved. Her life mattered to her family, her friends, and all who knew her. The pain of losing her, and her unborn child, is beyond comprehension.
"While nothing will ever replace Natalie or her little boy, we hope that today’s verdict brings even the smallest sense of peace, knowing that justice has been served.
"Our thoughts remain with Noel, Bernie, and the boys as they continue to navigate this profound loss.”
Upper Bann MLA and Ulster Unionist justice spokesperson Doug Beattie MC also paid tribute to the McNally family.
Describing Ms McNally’s murder as “an appalling crime that shocked both the local community and Northern Ireland society in general”, he said her family had to endure a difficult trial.
"Stephen McCullagh has shown himself to be a callous murderer and his actions were premeditated and planned in callous detail. His actions have heaped untold suffering on the family of Natalie who must now navigate life without a much-loved daughter and sister.
"I welcome the outcome of this case, the work of the police, the prosecutors, the judge, and the jury,” said Mr Beattie.
"Most of all I would like to commend the McNally family who have shown incredible grace, dignity, and courage throughout these difficult months.
"We now await to see what sentence McCullagh will receive and hope that his punishment doesn’t just match his crime but acts as a deterrent to others who feel they could get away with murder.”
SDLP leader and South Belfast and Mid Down MP Claire Hanna said the thoughts of everyone in the SDLP and across Northern Ireland are with the McNally family.
"They have endured the most unimaginable loss and have carried themselves with strength and quiet dignity throughout, earning respect and admiration,” she said.
"To lose a child, a sister or a friend in these circumstances is beyond comprehension. While no outcome can undo what has happened, I hope that the conviction offers some measure of justice and a degree of comfort to Natalie’s family. In cases like this, it is vital that justice is both done and seen to be done.
"This comes at a time when the issue of violence against women and girls has been brought into sharp focus. This is not about one incident, but a wider societal problem that must be confronted.
"We need sustained action to ensure that no other family has to endure the pain and loss that the McNally family will carry for the rest of their lives.”