Stephen McCullagh Guilty of Natalie McNally Murder
Stephen McCullagh, 36, of Woodland Gardens in Lisburn, has been found guilty of the murder of Natalie McNally, 32, in her home in Lurgan, County Armagh, on December 18, 2022. He is expected to receive a life sentence.
Timeline of Events and Key Evidence
The case, which garnered significant public attention in Northern Ireland, centered around the brutal killing of Ms. McNally, who was 15 weeks pregnant at the time of her death. The jury reached a verdict after two hours of deliberation following an 18-day trial at Belfast Crown Court.
Initial Contact and Relationship
Stephen McCullagh and Natalie McNally first connected on the online dating app Bumble on August 7, 2022. Their initial exchange involved McCullagh playfully referring to himself as a “robot weirdo.” Over the subsequent 133 days, the pair exchanged hundreds of messages Irish Mirror. The prosecution presented evidence suggesting McCullagh accessed Ms. McNally’s phone and viewed messages she had exchanged with other men.
Pre-Recorded Livestream and Alibi
McCullagh pre-recorded a six-hour and four-minute gaming livestream on December 14/15, 2022, playing Grand Theft Auto while consuming alcohol and using profanity. He repeatedly stated during the stream that it would be broadcast live on December 18th Irish Mirror. The prosecution argued that McCullagh used this pre-recorded stream as an alibi, creating the illusion of being live online while he traveled from Lisburn to Lurgan to commit the murder.
The Day of the Murder
On December 18, 2022, Ms. McNally spent time with McCullagh in Lisburn, where he was researching bus and train schedules to travel between the two towns. She then left to join her parents in Craigavon to watch the FIFA World Cup final before returning to her home in Lurgan. McCullagh posted an advertisement for his “live” gaming session at 4:00 PM that day Irish News.
Evidence Contradicting McCullagh’s Claims
The prosecution presented evidence, including taxi data, that placed McCullagh in Lurgan around the time of the murder. A taxi driver testified that McCullagh requested a ride back to Lisburn after the killing, explaining he had missed the last train. McCullagh maintained that the evidence was a fabrication intended to frame him, alleging a former boyfriend of Ms. McNally was the true perpetrator.
Family Reaction and Sentencing
Members of the McNally family expressed relief and emotion following the guilty verdict, embracing and applauding in the courtroom. Mr. Justice Kinney commended the jury for their diligence in handling the difficult and traumatic evidence presented during the trial. He will set a minimum term of imprisonment at a later date. McCullagh showed no visible reaction to the verdict.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland investigated the case, finding no signs of forced entry, suggesting Ms. McNally knew her attacker Wikipedia. A post-mortem examination revealed Ms. McNally suffered multiple stab wounds, severe beatings, facial fractures, and broken bones in her neck Wikipedia.