McNally murder is 'life sentence' for family, father says

03 Jun 2026, 11:38 · RTE.ie

The family of Natalie McNally, who was murdered by her partner in Co Armagh, has said that it has been "serving a life sentence" since she died.

The statement was made outside Belfast Crown Court after Stephen McCullagh was sentenced to life in prison, with a minimum term of 31 years, before he is eligible for parole.

Ms McNally's father, Noel, said that his family has been through "unimaginable pain and grief over the loss of our beautiful daughter Natalie" in December 2022.

"We would like to thank everyone who has helped us to get here today, all our family and friends, the whole community of Lurgan and Craigavon, and throughout this country and beyond for all the kindness and the support that we have received.

"We would also like to thank the PSNI and the prosecution service for getting us to this conclusion today.

"Today we do not celebrate the sentence handed down as Bernadette.

"My three boys and myself are serving a life sentence since the murder of our beloved Natalie, but hopefully it will serve to deter and to help stop violence against women and girls in this country.

"With respect, we are now asking for some privacy to continue to grieve.

Noel McNally spoke outside Belfast Crown Court after the sentencing

Attack was 'sustained and shockingly violent' - PSNI

The PSNI said the "brutal" murder of Ms McNally was "meticulously and coldly premeditated" by McCullagh.

Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Inspector Neil McGuinness, said the victim was "a much-loved daughter and sister" who was "excited to be planning the rest of her life as a mother".

DCI McGuinness said: "McCullagh travelled to Natalie's home in Lurgan on the night of Sunday 18th December, the week before Christmas.

"Here, he carried out a sustained and shockingly violent attack, which took Natalie’s life and that of her unborn son.

"Having returned to his Lisburn home, McCullagh revisited the address some 24 hours later, whereupon, pretending to have just discovered the tragic scene, he phoned the ambulance service.

"Here, and for the weeks that followed, he masqueraded as a distraught and caring partner.

"Stephen McCullagh was arrested at the scene and initially released.

"After a painstaking and large-scale investigation, which included hundreds of house-to-house enquiries and an examination of thousands of hours of CCTV footage, he was rearrested and charged."

DCI McGuinness said the murder of Ms McNally "sent shockwaves right across the community. Not only was it distressingly brutal in nature, it was meticulously and coldly premeditated.

"McCullagh had devised an alibi, seemingly live-streaming for six hours on a social media platform at the time of Natalie’s murder.

"In reality, he had walked some distance from his home and taken a bus to Lurgan - all the while concealing his appearance - in order to carry out his attack.

"Thanks to the efforts and expertise of our cyber crime officers, irrefutable evidence was obtained to show that this footage had in fact been pre-recorded several days earlier.

"Today, thanks to the collective efforts of our major investigation team and policing teams across the police service, and working in partnership with the Public Prosecution Service, the defendant has been held to account.

"At the same time, a loving family are left with unimaginable heartache. They have lost their beloved Natalie and the baby boy they so dearly wanted to welcome into their family.

"Somehow, amidst their sorrow, they have managed to show the most incredible dignity and strength, right throughout our investigation.

"Their kindness is in stark contrast to the cruelty, and calculated web of deceit spun by McCullagh."

DCI McGuinness referred to a "tragic case of domestic homicide".

He said: "Sadly, we know that domestic abuse can take many forms, and we know that it can affect anyone. In this case, an appalling and ultimate act of violence has taken a young woman’s life.

"As a victim-focused organisation, violence against women and girls is a priority for us. It can’t be and won’t be tolerated.

"While we, along with partners, will continue to speak out and do everything in our power to tackle this issue.

"It’s noteworthy and commendable that the McNally family have also found the strength to speak out, not only about their own tragic circumstances, but about the issue as a whole."

He concluded: "As we leave court today, my thoughts and those of the team remain firmly with Natalie’s loved ones."