Stephen McCullagh sentenced for murder of pregnant partner Natalie McNally in Lurgan

Stephen McCullagh, 36, was convicted of murdering 15-weeks-pregnant Natalie McNally at her Lurgan home in December 2022. Judge Patrick Kinney is set to deliver the sentence tariff.

Lisburn man faces sentencing for murder of pregnant partner in Co Armagh

Stephen McCullagh, 36, of Woodland Gardens, Lisburn, is to be sentenced for the murder of his pregnant partner Natalie McNally, the Irish Times reports.

McCullagh was found guilty by a jury at Belfast Crown Court earlier this year. McNally, who was 15 weeks pregnant, was subjected to a violent attack and killed at her home in Lurgan, Co Armagh, in December 2022.

McCullagh had denied the murder, claiming he was live-streaming himself playing computer games on his YouTube channel at the time of the killing. Police experts, however, established that the six-hour stream had been recorded four days earlier and broadcast as live on 18 December.

At a sentencing hearing in May, the court was told McCullagh made "self-contradictory" and "incredible" statements to his probation officer. He initially insisted he "was convinced that he was not guilty of the murder," the hearing heard.

The probation officer noted that McCullagh had described the killing as "evil" and "vicious" and referred to himself as "a monster."

He also told the probation officer: "I'm sorry for what I did to that poor family, what I did to Natalie," adding: "I would take it back if I could."

Judge Patrick Kinney is expected to deliver the sentence tariff later.

Source: Irish Times