Stephen McCullagh Accused of Blaming Ex-Partner for Natalie McNally's Murder
The trial of Stephen McCullagh, who is accused of murdering his pregnant girlfriend, has heard that he told police at the scene that her ex-partner was responsible for the crime. McCullagh, aged 36 and from Woodland Gardens in Lisburn, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Natalie McNally, who was 15 weeks pregnant with their child at the time of her death.
Details of the Fatal Incident
Natalie McNally was killed at her home on Silverwood Green in Lurgan, County Armagh, a week before Christmas in December 2022. Her time of death has been estimated to have occurred between 8:50 PM and 9:30 PM on Sunday, December 18, 2022. The emergency services were alerted on the following evening, Monday, December 19, after the discovery of her body.
During the second day of the trial at Belfast Crown Court, McCullagh sat in the dock between two prison guards as family and friends of Miss McNally watched from the public gallery. A jury of six men and six women has been sworn in for the trial, which is expected to last approximately five weeks under Judge Mr Justice Patrick Kinney.
Prosecution's Case and Police Testimony
On Monday, prosecuting barrister Charles MacCreanor KC outlined the case, describing Miss McNally's murder as "planned, calculated and premeditated, one which he (McCullagh) hoped to get away with." The trial continued on Tuesday with testimony from two police witnesses.
Sergeant Stewart, who attended the scene on the night of Monday, December 19, described seeing McCullagh "very upset" and being led out of the house by a colleague. He reported finding Miss McNally lying on her back at the top of the stairs in the townhouse, near the living room, with blood visible around her and a puncture wound on her neck. A small black-handled knife was observed on the living room floor, and blood was seen on the wall.
The uniformed sergeant briefed the on-call duty detective sergeant for Lurgan CID by telephone that night. McCullagh was arrested at around 11:40 PM and taken into custody at Banbridge police station.
Key Evidence and Arrest Details
The on-call detective sergeant also gave evidence on Tuesday, stating that he briefed a senior officer who instructed him to treat the incident as murder. He confirmed that Sergeant Stewart informed him McCullagh had told police at the scene: "I know what has happened, the ex-partner has done this." Based on this, the detective sergeant directed McCullagh's arrest for murder.
The jury was shown police photographs of the scene following Miss McNally's murder, providing visual evidence to support the prosecution's claims. The trial is set to continue, with the defence case to be presented by barrister John Kearney KC later this week.
