Stephen McCullagh Appeal Re-traumatises McNally Family After Murder Conviction
The family of Natalie McNally has voiced significant distress over Stephen McCullagh's appeal against his murder conviction. McCullagh, 36, was sentenced in June to a minimum of 16 years' imprisonment for the murder of Ms McNally, who was 15 weeks pregnant at the time of her death in December 2022.
Ms McNally's brother, Brendan McNally, conveyed the family's re-traumatisation by the ongoing legal process. He stated the family is enduring “torture” as the appeal continues, explaining they had hoped for closure following McCullagh's sentencing. The family now faces additional hearings, extending their ordeal.
During McCullagh's trial, the court heard he stabbed Ms McNally 11 times in her home in Lurgan, County Armagh. McCullagh denied the charges throughout, attempting to establish an alibi by live-streaming a video game at the time of the murder. However, forensic and digital evidence presented by the prosecution ultimately led to his conviction.
A date for McCullagh's appeal hearing has not yet been set.
