Prosecution Presents 'Strong and Compelling' Case in Natalie McNally Murder Trial
The prosecution in the trial of Stephen McCullagh, who stands accused of murdering Natalie McNally, has described their case as "strong and compelling" to the jury at Belfast Crown Court. Barrister Charles MacCreanor KC delivered a powerful closing statement, asserting that the defendant had "lied and lied again" throughout the investigation.
Details of the Alleged Crime
Natalie McNally, aged 32 and 15 weeks pregnant, was killed at her home in Lurgan on December 18, 2022. Her partner, Stephen McCullagh, 36, from Woodland Gardens in Lisburn, denies the murder charge. The prosecution has focused heavily on what they describe as McCullagh's fabricated alibi and suspicious movements captured on CCTV.
The False Alibi Allegation
Mr MacCreanor told the jury that McCullagh created a "false alibi" by broadcasting a pre-recorded livestream of himself playing Grand Theft Auto during the exact hours when Ms McNally was murdered. "That was the defendant's false alibi, of that there can be no doubt," the barrister stated. He emphasized that evidence showed McCullagh had prepared the six-hour gaming broadcast four days in advance, specifically covering the 6pm to midnight period when the murder occurred.
The prosecution argued that McCullagh repeatedly lied about this livestream being live, telling friends, the McNally family, and police that he was broadcasting in real time. "He has lied to Natalie, he has lied to his friends, he has lied to the McNally family, he has lied to police at the scene," Mr MacCreanor told the court.
CCTV Evidence and Disguises
The jury was shown extensive CCTV footage that the prosecution claims shows McCullagh traveling from Lisburn to Lurgan on the evening of the murder. The footage allegedly depicts an individual wearing disguises including a hat and wig, with one particular disguise featuring a mop of black hair that "bears comparison" to photographs of McCullagh on Instagram.
Mr MacCreanor highlighted that the person in the CCTV footage changed clothes near Silverwood Court, close to Ms McNally's home, before leaving the area and taking a taxi to McCullagh's house. "We say there is a sequence and there is a compulsion to this and it knits together and it ties together," the barrister stated, praising the "extensive police work" that uncovered this evidence.
Defendant's Response and Police Interviews
The prosecution noted that McCullagh chose not to give evidence during his trial, instead relying on what he had said in police interviews and a pre-prepared statement. When confronted by police about the pre-recorded livestream during his eighth interview, McCullagh reportedly responded that this was "literally impossible" because the session was on YouTube.
Mr MacCreanor told the jury: "You may feel is that one of the reasons you haven't heard from him, there's no answer that he could ever give that could stand up to scrutiny." He added that McCullagh's subsequent statement to police, in which he claimed to have been consuming alcohol and asleep for most of the evening, represented "a further lie" and an account "never heard before up to that time."
Emotional Impact on the Family
The barrister described how McCullagh attended Ms McNally's wake at her family's home on Christmas Day, shortly after her death. "The family literally bring him in, they console him, they support him, they help him," Mr MacCreanor said. "What is he telling them? That he was doing a livestream. They tell you they saw him as distraught and upset and they believed it all."
He added: "At the wake he brings that out, the lies wherever you look, they just continue."
Closing Arguments and Trial Continuation
In his closing statement, Mr MacCreanor emphasized the strength of the prosecution's case, telling the jury: "Our submission to you is that this is a strong prosecution case, a compelling prosecution case that he is guilty." He questioned why someone would need a false alibi unless they had committed murder, stating: "Why would you need a false alibi? Because he murdered Natalie McNally."
The trial continues as the jury considers the evidence presented by both the prosecution and defense in this high-profile murder case that has captured public attention since Ms McNally's death in December 2022.
