Pregnant Woman's Death Described as 'Prolonged Assault' in Murder Trial
A pregnant woman from County Armagh was killed in what has been described as a "prolonged assault" during a murder trial at Belfast Crown Court. Natalie McNally, aged 32, was found dead at her home in Lurgan in December 2022, just one week before Christmas.
Stephen McCullagh, 36, of Woodland Gardens in Lisburn, has pleaded not guilty to murdering his girlfriend, Miss McNally, who was 15 weeks pregnant with their child at the time of her death. The trial, which is expected to last approximately five weeks, is being presided over by Judge Mr Justice Patrick Kinney.
Details of the Assault Revealed in Court
On the second day of the trial, state pathologist for Northern Ireland, Dr James Lynas, provided detailed evidence from the post-mortem examination conducted on December 21, 2022. He stated that Miss McNally's death resulted from a combination of factors: compression of the neck, stab wounds to her neck, and blunt force trauma to her head.
Dr Lynas described bruising and injuries across her head, neck, and arms, as well as internal injuries. He noted that a male foetus of approximately 15 weeks gestation was found in her womb and likely died as a result of the assault. Miss McNally was of slim build, standing 5ft5 tall, with no alcohol in her blood at the time of death, though a therapeutic concentration of an anti-depressant medication was detected.
The pathologist explained that bruising on her neck suggested it had been forcibly grasped by hands, possibly with interposed clothing, and that compression could have caused rapid loss of consciousness and death if sustained. Additionally, three stab wounds to her neck, caused by a bladed weapon, would have led to rapid bleeding and fatal consequences without medical attention.
Evidence of a Violent and Sustained Attack
Further injuries included lacerations to her head, consistent with at least five heavy impacts, possibly from an object with a semi-sharp edge like furniture. Multiple bruises on her scalp and face indicated additional blunt impacts, such as punches. Microscopic examination of her brain suggested she may have survived in a moribund condition for a short period after the assault.
Bruising on her left wrist and right arm could indicate she raised her arms to protect herself, and the presence of food in her lungs suggests she may have survived briefly while unconscious. Dr Lynas concluded that it was a "prolonged assault" and that all three types of injuries—neck compression, stab wounds, and blunt force trauma—contributed to the fatal outcome.
Police Testimony and Arrest Details
Earlier in the trial, the court heard that McCullagh told police at the scene that her ex-partner was responsible for the attack. Sergeant Stewart, who attended Miss McNally's house on the night of December 19, described seeing McCullagh "very upset" and being led out of the property. He found Miss McNally lying at the top of the stairs with blood visible around her and a puncture wound on her neck, alongside a small black-handled knife on the living room floor and blood on the wall.
McCullagh was arrested at approximately 11.40pm and taken into custody at Banbridge police station. Constable Orr, who made the arrest, reported that McCullagh responded with, "Murder, why?" when informed of the charge. The on-call detective sergeant testified that he was briefed to treat the incident as murder, based on initial findings and McCullagh's statements.
The trial continues, with the defence case set to be presented by barrister John Kearney KC later this week. Family and friends of Miss McNally have been observing the proceedings from the public gallery, as a jury of six men and six women deliberates on the evidence.
