In a dramatic courtroom scene, the ex-partner of Natalie McNally has vehemently denied any involvement in her murder during testimony at Belfast Crown Court. The man, whose identity remains protected by legal restrictions, asserted that he did not kill Ms McNally, nor did he enlist another person to carry out the fatal act. He also refuted claims that injuries to his hands were sustained on the night of the murder, stating they resulted from punching walls at a different time.
Details of the case and court proceedings
Natalie McNally, a 32-year-old woman from Co Armagh, was 15 weeks pregnant when she was tragically killed at her home in Lurgan on December 18, 2022. Her current partner, Stephen McCullagh, aged 36 and residing at Woodland Gardens in Lisburn, is currently on trial for her murder, a charge he has denied. The ex-boyfriend's testimony forms a critical part of the defence's strategy, as the trial continues to unfold with intense legal scrutiny.
Questioning and evidence presented in court
Defence barrister John Kearney KC led the questioning, focusing on inconsistencies in the witness's initial police statements. During the proceedings, Mr Kearney presented photographs of the ex-partner's hand injuries, which were documented in police interviews conducted shortly after Ms McNally's death. The witness maintained that these injuries were self-inflicted from punching walls and were unrelated to the murder night.
When pressed by Mr Kearney about whether the injuries occurred on the evening of the murder, the witness firmly responded, "No, I definitely didn't get them on that night." Further questioning delved into his whereabouts and actions, with the barrister asking directly if he had killed Ms McNally or was present at Silverwood Green on December 18. The witness answered "No" to both queries, also denying any recruitment of others to assist in the crime.
Emotional outbursts and accusations in the courtroom
The testimony took an emotional turn when the ex-partner addressed Stephen McCullagh directly, shouting accusations from the witness stand. He yelled towards McCullagh in the court dock, "You done it," and later reiterated, "You killed her." This outburst highlighted the heightened tensions surrounding the case, as both sides present conflicting narratives.
Mr Kearney challenged the witness on his initial statements to police, noting that he had admitted to telling "white lies" about the extent of his contact with Ms McNally. The witness acknowledged this but clarified that he corrected these inaccuracies upon his arrest, emphasizing that he provided a truthful account of his whereabouts hour by hour over four days. He stated, "I told the truth as well as I could remember," while maintaining his innocence in the matter.
The trial is ongoing, with further evidence and testimonies expected to be presented as the court seeks to uncover the truth behind this devastating crime. The community in Lurgan and beyond continues to follow the case closely, awaiting justice for Natalie McNally and her unborn child.
