Man Accused of Natalie McNally's Murder Beat Previous Partner, Court Told
A man charged with murdering his pregnant girlfriend in Northern Ireland physically assaulted a former partner and covertly recorded her counselling sessions, a court has been informed. Stephen McCullagh, 36, from Lisburn, County Antrim, denies the murder of Natalie McNally, 32, who was discovered deceased at her residence in Lurgan, County Armagh, in December 2022.
Details of the Alleged Assault on Ex-Girlfriend
On the ninth day of the trial at Belfast Crown Court, an ex-girlfriend of McCullagh, who remains anonymous for legal reasons, testified about their tumultuous relationship spanning seven years from 2015. She described an incident in late 2019 when McCullagh became enraged after discovering she had exchanged messages and images with another man. According to her account, he pushed her abruptly, seized her phone, and forced her into a bathtub.
Later that evening, while McCullagh was driving her home, she attempted to take her own life by jumping from the moving vehicle. McCullagh allegedly pulled her back and struck her, stating she could kill herself on her own time. The defence barrister, John Kearney KC, contested these claims, asserting McCullagh had no memory of a physical altercation in the bathroom and intervened in the car to save her life.
Covert Recording of Counselling Sessions
The ex-girlfriend further revealed that after the couple reconciled in 2021, she became pregnant but suffered a stillbirth. She subsequently attended counselling sessions, some held in the living room of McCullagh's home where she resided for several months. McCullagh would retreat to his bedroom during these sessions.
In 2024, police informed her that recordings of these counselling appointments had been found on McCullagh's computer. She expressed shock, believing the sessions were confidential. The defence countered that McCullagh had offered to tape the sessions to aid her in deriving maximum benefit from counselling, and she had consented.
Allegations Surrounding Natalie McNally's Murder
Prosecutors allege that McCullagh meticulously planned the murder of Natalie McNally, whom he met on the dating app Bumble in mid-2022. On 14 December 2022, he purportedly recorded a six-hour gaming session featuring Grand Theft Auto and Robot Wars, later uploading it to his YouTube account on 18 December to fabricate an alibi. This was intended to create the impression he was at home, while in reality, he was 17 miles away committing the crime.
It is claimed he disguised himself, travelled by bus to Lurgan, walked to McNally's home, and subjected her to a prolonged assault involving stab wounds to the neck, strangulation, and severe blows to the head, as detailed by a state pathologist. Following the murder, he allegedly took a taxi back to Lisburn.
Taxi Driver's Testimony
Taxi driver Jeffrey McAvoy testified on Friday that on the evening of the murder, a fare was booked from near Fa' Joe's Bar in central Lurgan. He collected a passenger at 10:40 pm, describing him as a large individual who placed a bag at his feet. The passenger requested a ride to Lisburn, was dropped off outside a house on Woodland Gardens at 11:13 pm, and paid in cash.
The trial, presided over by Mr Justice Kinney with a jury of six men and six women, is anticipated to last five weeks. McCullagh continues to plead not guilty to the murder charge.
