Natalie McNally murder: Prosecutor explains how 'various strands of evidence' were brought together leading to Stephen McCullagh's conviction
The Head of the Public Prosecution Service Serious Crime Unit said Natalie McNally’s murderer went to great lengths to try to hide his responsibility for her brutal killing.
Stephen McCullagh has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum tariff of 31 years for the murder of Ms McNally in Lurgan in December 2022.
Catherine Kierans, who prosecuted the case, said Natalie McNally was "a much-loved young woman whose life was full of promise”, adding: "Stephen McCullagh, the father of her unborn baby, violently and senselessly took her life.”
She said sentencing “marks the conclusion of proceedings to hold a cold and calculating murderer to justice”.
Ms Kierans commended the bravery of Natalie’s loved ones including her parents and brothers, who attended every court appearance.
"At the heart of this case are a family who have lost a loved one in the most horrendous circumstances, and I want to pay tribute to them. The dignified and respectful way in which they engaged with the criminal justice system, while also dealing with devastating loss and grief, is remarkable. I know this was not easy for them, but their courage and resilience are testimony to them as a family and their love for Natalie.”
Ms Kierans said this was a calculated and premediated domestic murder.
"McCullagh carefully planned the murder, going to great lengths to try to hide the fact that he alone was responsible.
"This included creating a false alibi several days before the murder by producing a six-hour YouTube stream that was presented as live on the night of the murder, but that police later determined had been pre-recorded.
"He also meticulously laid a false trail to Ms McNally’s ex-partner, telling several people that he was harassing Ms McNally, which was untrue.
"Having set up this deception, he wore a disguise to travel to Natalie’s home where he brutally beat, stabbed and strangled her. In the days and weeks after the murder, posing as a grieving partner, he manipulated his way into the company and trust of her heartbroken family.
"He has now been held to account for this vicious murder for which he has shown no remorse whatsoever.”
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Ms Kierans said the prosecution team worked closely with police from the point of McCullagh’s second arrest on January 31, 2023, giving prosecutorial advice on the decision to charge him with murder.
"We in the PPS worked with our partners in the PSNI who carried out a thorough and meticulous investigation. Together, we brought together the various strands of evidence, including CCTV, other digital material and witness testimony,” she said.
"This helped the prosecution team, including independent senior counsel and two junior counsel, to set out an overwhelmingly strong case which led to the jury’s unanimous guilty verdict.
"I want to commend the witnesses who bravely gave evidence in court. Among them was Natalie’s former partner, who was falsely accused by McCullagh of harassing and murdering Natalie.
"This man was cross-examined intensely over three days at the trial but was determined to assist the prosecution. The evidence of all the witnesses was essential to building and successfully prosecuting this case.”
Ms Kierans also thanked the jury for their service in a “particularly complex and harrowing” case, with many strands of evidence to analyse.