Stephen Mccullagh sentenced to 31 years for Natalie McNally murder
Stephen McCullagh was sentenced to 31 years after being found guilty of murdering Natalie McNally, who was 15 weeks pregnant when she was killed at her Lurgan home in December 2022. The case ended after a trial lasting more than four weeks, with a jury taking just over two hours to convict him in March.
McCullagh and Natalie McNally
McCullagh, 36, of Woodland Gardens in Lisburn, was sentenced for killing his pregnant girlfriend. The judge said the attack was “brutal and frenzied” and told the court McCullagh did not just kill Natalie McNally.
“Her unborn child also died as a result of the murderous assault,” the judge said. The court heard that McCullagh was fully aware Natalie was pregnant and intended to kill her.
Judge's findings
The judge said McCullagh knew the baby, at such an early stage of pregnancy, would have no chance of surviving the attack. The sentence followed a trial in which the judge said aggravating factors included the level of planning involved in the murder.
The judge also cited the live stream, the manipulation of other people, his own friends, Natalie herself, her family and the police, along with the attempt to implicate an innocent third party, Natalie's ex-boyfriend.
Catherine Kierans on sentencing
Catherine Kierans, head of the Public Prosecution Service's Serious Crime Unit, said the sentencing marked “the conclusion of proceedings to hold a cold and calculating murderer to justice.” She said McCullagh “has now been held to account for this vicious murder for which he has shown no remorse whatsoever.”
Kierans added: “Natalie's murder was unprecedented in the level of planning and sophistication.” She also said: “Violence against women and girls is a pervasive issue in this society that we all must work together to tackle.”
For Natalie McNally's family, the sentence closes the criminal case at 31 years, but the judge's findings leave a record that the attack ended the life of her unborn child as well as her own.
