Pregnant Woman Discovered Beside Dog Bowl Filled with Blood, Court Hears
A police officer has provided harrowing testimony at the murder trial of Natalie McNally, a 32-year-old pregnant woman found dead in her Lurgan home. The sergeant described encountering a dog bowl filled with blood positioned beside her head during the investigation.
Details of the Tragic Scene
Natalie McNally was discovered at her residence on Silverwood Green in Lurgan, Northern Ireland. The court heard that the incident occurred between 8.50pm and 9.30pm on Sunday, December 18, 2022. At the time of her death, Ms McNally was 15 weeks pregnant, adding a profound layer of tragedy to the case.
The father of her unborn child, 36-year-old Stephen McCullagh from Woodland Gardens in Lisburn, has been accused of her murder. McCullagh has entered a plea of not guilty to the charges brought against him.
Police Officer's Testimony in Belfast Crown Court
During the second day of the trial at Belfast Crown Court, the police officer confirmed he attended Ms McNally's address on the evening of December 19, 2022. Upon arrival, he noted the presence of ambulance service personnel and other police officers at the scene.
Under questioning from Crown barrister Charles MacCreanor KC, the witness detailed entering the home. He observed Stephen McCullagh in the hallway, describing him as "very upset, he was crying." After McCullagh was escorted to a police vehicle by another officer, the sergeant proceeded upstairs.
Graphic Description of the Discovery
The officer testified that he saw Ms McNally's feet at the top of the staircase. He confirmed she was lying on her back, with her head positioned in the living room on the first floor. Her feet were protruding over the stairs, and she was slightly elevated on the left side by a cushion, with her left arm resting against the wall.
When asked about visible blood, the sergeant stated, "Yes, there was blood visible around her neck. I noticed a puncture wound." He then described the chilling detail of a dog bowl, saying, "There was blood which was in a dog bowl. It looked almost like it had been used to collect the blood."
Additional Evidence at the Scene
Mr MacCreanor inquired about a small black-handled knife found in the living room. The officer confirmed its presence on the floor, noting it was "some distance away from the deceased's head." He also observed blood on the wall nearest to the knife before exiting the property, having not ventured further than the top of the stairs.
The witness verified that Stephen McCullagh was arrested at the scene at 11.40pm and subsequently taken into custody at Banbridge PSNI station. The trial continues as the court seeks to unravel the circumstances surrounding this devastating crime.
