McNally FamilyA man accused of murdering his pregnant partner at their home in Lurgan has been described in court as a “particularly skilled and cunning individual”.
When Natalie McNally was murdered in December 2022, she was 15 weeks pregnant.
Refusing bail, Justice O’Hara said Stephen McCullagh, also of Woodland Gardens, Lisburn, was a “master of media manipulation”.
The judge said that if the 33-year-old was released he would “inevitably and potentially interfere with the work of witnesses.”
Mr McCullagh appeared in court in Belfast on Friday via video link and in front of a public gallery packed with Ms McNally’s family and friends.
Prosecution lawyers told the court that Ms McNally’s murder was “very premeditated and planned, which is very significant.”
The court said the case “relate[s]to domestic violence which has become very prevalent in our society.”
Internet search history
The court also heard about Mr McCullagh’s internet browsing history in the days before the murder of Mike McNally.
A prosecution barrister said the search history included “What is more painful, dying by drowning or being burned alive?” and “Is it more painful to die from a bullet than from being stabbed in the heart?”
As soon as the bail was rejected, some people sitting in the public gallery clapped.
Justice O’Hara said: “Wait. I will clear the court. You are here to observe the events taking place in the court, not to participate in them.”
The date of hearing has been fixed for May 6.
