Natalie McNally murderer McCullagh gets 31 years

Natalie McNally murderer McCullagh gets 31 years

Author: Belfast Telegraph June 3, 2026 Duration: 17:54

Stephen McCullagh will do at least 31 years of jail time before he is even considered for release. 

 

32-year-old Natalie McNally had been 15 weeks pregnant when she was subjected to a violent attack and murdered at her home in Lurgan in December 2022. 

 

The judge, Mr Justice Kinney, told McCullagh that he committed a “brutal senseless murder and planned it in remorseless detail.” 

 

“The killing was cold blooded and calculated.” 

 

McCullagh tried to pin the murder on Lewis Jones, Natalie’s ex-partner, after having set up a false alibi.  

 

But the jury rejected that and found McCullagh guilty of the murder at Belfast Crown Court earlier this year. 

 

Kurtis Reid was in court for the tariff hearing.  


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