Everton Hill Dickinson
Stephen McCullagh, who was convicted of the murder of his pregnant girlfriend Natalie McNally, has been sentenced to life in prison. The 36-year-old will serve a minimum of 31 years before being eligible for parole. The crime, which took place in Lurgan, Northern Ireland, on December 18, 2022, involved a brutal attack on McNally, who was 15 weeks pregnant at the time.
Judge Mr Justice Kinney said: “The defendant did not just kill Natalie McNally, her unborn child also died as a result of the murderous assault. The defendant was fully aware that Natalie was pregnant. He intended to kill her and he knew that her baby, at such an early stage of the pregnancy, would have no chance of surviving the attack.”
Mr Justice Kinney further remarked: “You planned this murder in remorseless detail. You attacked someone you profess to love in a frenzied assault, which was characterised by its excessive and gratuitous violence. Despite that frenzy, the killing was cold-blooded and calculated, as evidenced by the extensive planning leading up to the murder and your actions afterwards.”
The court heard that McCullagh had attempted to cover his tracks by attending McNally’s Christmas Day wake and trying to shift the blame onto an “abusive ex-boyfriend.” However, his lies were soon unraveled by the police. The judge highlighted the calculated nature of the crime and the impact on McNally’s family, stating that the sentence could not possibly reflect the value of Natalie’s life or that of her unborn child, Dean.
McCullagh is currently being held in the Moyola hospital wing of Maghaberry Prison for his own protection. Sources indicate that he is considered a “security nightmare” and is on the “hitlist” of dangerous criminals. The hospital wing, which is separated from other residential units, is often used as a precautionary measure to protect inmates vulnerable to attack.
Rachel Fletcher, Managing Partner and Head of Crime and Regulatory at Slater Heelis, explained: “That’s where you see decisions like placing someone on a healthcare or hospital wing, less about them being unwell, and more about keeping them safe and under closer supervision.”
The McNally family, who have been left to cope with their grief, laid a memorial stone for Natalie at the Hill Dickinson Stadium. Her brothers, Declan and Niall McNally, expressed their hope that the tribute would stand for a long time, honoring their sister’s love for Everton and her vibrant spirit.
About The Author
