Amy Stewart
BBC News NI

Thank-you for joining our live page on the sentencing of Stephen McCullagh, who has been given a 31-year tariff for the murder of Natalie McNally, a woman described by the judge as "strong, loving, intelligent and funny".

It's understood to be one of the longest sentences handed down in Northern Ireland for murder in recent years.

This page was written by our reporter Kelly Bonner in Laganside court, Holly Fleck, Lucy Carlin and Judith Cummings and edited by me, Amy Stewart.

Goodbye.

Image source, PA Media

Lisburn man Stephen McCullagh, 36, was sentenced to 31 years for the murder of his pregnant girlfriend Natalie McNally. That is the minimum term he must serve in custody before he can be considered for release.

• As the sentence was handed down the family of Natalie McNally hugged and sobbed. McCullagh nodded

• Mr Justice Kinney described Natalie as a “strong, loving and an independent young woman”
• He also detailed several aggravating factors he took into account when sentencing McCullagh - including the level of planning involved in the murder, the live stream and McCullagh's manipulation of other people
• Speaking outside court, Natalie's father Noel, who was standing with Natalie's mother Bernie holding a picture of their daughter said the McNally family serve a life sentence since the murder of "beloved" Natalie, but he hopes it will serve as a deterrent against the violence against women and girls across Northern Ireland

The PSNI has released footage of Stephen McCullagh being questioned over his YouTube live stream alibi on the night that Natalie McNally was murdered.

Warning: Distressing content

It was a seemingly cast-iron alibi.

Stephen McCullagh could not have murdered his pregnant girlfriend Natalie McNally because at the time of her death he was live streaming on YouTube.

But weeks later, in a police interview room, a detective pulled the rug from under his feet telling him that he knew McCullagh's carefully crafted alibi was false.

The evidence uncovered a charade acted out by McCulllagh.

Part of that charade was a 999 call when he said he had found her body.

As Natalie's mum Bernie held a picture of her, her dad Noel spoke to the assembled media.

 "As my sons have already said on the day of the verdict, over the past three and a half years, our family has went through unimaginable pain and grief from the loss of our beautiful daughter Natalie.

"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 we have received.

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

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

McGuiness says this attack sent shockwaves across the community, and Natalie's family has been left in "unimaginable heartache".

He says her family have shown dignity and strength throughout the investigation, and the thoughts of the PSNI remain with Natalie's loved ones.

PSNI Det Ch Inspector Neil McGuinness says Natalie was a "much loved daughter and sister" excited to be planning her life as a mother.

Stephen McCullagh said that he could not have murdered Natalie McNally because at the time of her death he was live streaming on YouTube.

But weeks later, in a police interview, a detective pulled the rug from under his feet telling him that he knew McCullagh's carefully crafted cover up was false.

More about McCullagh's fake Youtube alibi can be read here.

Natalie's father Noel stands outside court and speaks of the family's "unimaginable" pain and grief.

"Today we don't celebrate," he says, adding that he and his family now serve a life sentence since the murder of "beloved" Natalie but he hopes it will serve as a deterrent against the violence against women and girls across Northern Ireland.

He asks for privacy now for him and his family.

He also thanks everyone - family, friends, the community in Lurgan and beyond for their kindness and support and thanks the PSNI and PPS for the conclusion of the trial.

Catherine Kierans also praises the McNally family.

"The respect and dignity they have shown is truly remarkable.

"They have shown courage and resilience throughout," she added.

Catherine Kierans, the Head of the PPS Serious Crime Unit, who prosecuted the case, says McCullagh "has shown absolutely no remorse".

McCullagh "went to extraordinary lengths to plan and carry out this callous domestic murder".

Kelly Bonner
BBC News NI

The judge said that McCullagh "did not just kill Natalie McNally".

"Her unborn child also died as a result of the murderous assault."

He adds that: "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 pregnancy would have no chance of surviving the attack."

Head of the Public Prosecution Service's Serious Crime Unit, Catherine Kierans, who prosecuted the case, says "today marks the conclusion of proceedings to hold a cold and calculating murderer to justice".

Kierans says McCullagh "has now been held to account for this vicious murder for which he has shown no remorse whatsoever".

She thanks the witnesses and jury, and pays tribute to Natalie's family.

"Natalie's murder was unprecedented in the level of planning and sophistication. However, it is far from an isolated event," she adds.

"Violence against women and girls is a pervasive issue in this society that we all must work together to tackle."

The judge says McCullagh's attack on Natalie was "brutal and frenzied".

Speaking about aggravating factors he takes into account the level of planning involved in the murder - and speaks about the live stream, the manipulation of other people, his own friends, Natalie herself, her family and the police.

He adds the attempt to implicate an innocent third party - Natalie's ex-boyfriend - is another factor.

The way McCullagh travelled to Natalie's house, plotting his route with travel timetables is also mentioned.

Mr Justice Kinney says "this was a brutal and senseless murder planned in remorseless detail cold-blooded and calculated".

McCullagh's culpability is "extremely high".

Image source, Family picture

Before he passed down the sentence the judge said the family had suffered a depth of pain that those of us who have not, cannot understand.

He praised their demeanour as "exemplary" and said that despite all obstacles they faithfully followed and participated in proceedings and were an essential part of getting justice for Natalie.

Before sentencing the judge described Natalie as a “strong, loving and an independent young woman”.

She knew what she wanted from life and was intelligent, passionate and funny.

Kelly Bonner
BBC News NI

McCullagh was asked to stand by the judge to hear his minimum term.

He nodded when he heard the term.

And as the sentence was handed down the family of Natalie McNally hugged and sobbed.

They held a picture of their daughter as Stephen McCullagh was led from the dock.

Stephen McCullagh has been sentenced to 31 years for murdering his pregnant ex-partner Natalie McNally.

This is the minimum term he must serve in custody before he can be considered for release by parole commissioners.

Kelly Bonner
BBC News NI

Mr Justice Kinney says that “this was not a spontaneous murder but a planned out one".

"Domestic violence is a grave reoccurring phenomenon of our society.”

After a trial lasting more than four weeks, Stephen McCullagh was found guilty of murdering Natalie.

McCullagh has never admitted killing Natalie.

In a pre-sentence report he did call himself a “monster”.

Over 15 days the jury saw and heard various strands of evidence.

He was found guilty on 23 March 2026.

More from the prosecution's final submissions can be read here.

Kelly Bonner
BBC News NI

Mr Justice Kinney says that McCullagh "pretended to be distraught".

"He lost no time in attempting to blame an ex boyfriend.

"He told various family members he had found Natalie's head in a dog bowl which was particularly distressing for the family".

Mr Justice Kinney says the prosecution told the court that McCullagh posed "significant serious harm to the public and had a high likelihood of reoffending".