Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Man accused of Natalie McNally murder remanded back in custody

Stephen McCullagh is due to appear again via video link on March 24.

By Grinne N. Aodha
Friday 24 February 2023 13:23 GMT
Natalie McNally (Family Handout/PA)
Natalie McNally (Family Handout/PA) (PA Media)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The man accused of the murder of Natalie McNally in Co Armagh has been remanded in custody for a further four weeks.

Ms McNally, 32, who was 15 weeks pregnant, was stabbed at her home in Silverwood Green, Lurgan, on the night of December 18.

Stephen McCullagh, 32, from Woodland Gardens, Lisburn, was previously arrested on December 19 but released and ruled out as a suspect.

He was rearrested on January 31.

Appearing before Craigavon Magistrates’ Court on Friday via video link, the case was adjourned for a further four weeks.

McCullagh is due to appear again via video link on the morning of Friday March 24.

At a remand hearing at Lisburn Magistrates’ Court earlier this month, a judge was told that McCullagh staged a live broadcast on YouTube on the night of the murder, with footage appearing to show him playing the video game Grand Theft Auto for six hours.

The court heard that McCullagh had been ruled out as a suspect on the basis of the alleged livestream alibi.

A senior detective told the court that extensive technical examination of his devices by cyber experts indicated the footage was pre-recorded and played out as if it was live.

The court also heard that while McCullagh denies involvement in Ms McNally’s murder, he conceded in a statement to police that the purported livestream was pre-recorded days earlier.

The judge denied McCullagh bail during the hearing on February 3.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in