A man has been convicted of murdering his pregnant partner in a brutal attack at her home in County Armagh. Natalie McNally, aged 32, was 15 weeks pregnant when she was violently killed at her residence in Lurgan on December 18, 2022.
Verdict Reached After Brief Deliberations
Stephen McCullagh, 36, from Woodland Gardens in Lisburn, was found guilty by a jury at Belfast Crown Court. The jury, composed of six men and six women, delivered their verdict after just two hours of deliberations during the fifth week of the trial.
McCullagh stood impassively in the dock, flanked by prison staff, as the verdict was announced. In contrast, the public gallery, filled with Ms McNally's family and friends, erupted in cheers upon hearing the decision.
Prosecution's Case and Defence Claims
The prosecution argued that McCullagh murdered Ms McNally after fabricating a false alibi. They claimed he pretended to be livestreaming a Grand Theft Auto gaming session on YouTube at the time of the crime to cover his tracks.
In response, the defence contended that a former boyfriend of Ms McNally, whose identity remains protected by legal restrictions, was actually responsible for her murder. However, the jury ultimately rejected this assertion, siding with the prosecution's evidence.
This case has drawn significant public attention, with Ms McNally's family, including her parents Noel and Bernie McNally and her brother Niall, present outside Belfast Crown Court throughout the proceedings. The conviction marks a pivotal moment in a tragic story that has shocked the local community.
