Episode 21: ‘A cold-blooded killer’ jailed

Episode 21: ‘A cold-blooded killer’ jailed

Stephen McCullagh is sentenced for the murder of Natalie McNally. Natalie was 32 years old and 15 weeks pregnant when she was killed in 2022. Stephen McCullagh was her partner, and father of her unborn child. In court today, Mr Justice Kinney said Stephen McCullagh ‘committed a brutal and senseless murder, carried out in remorseless detail’. Kelly Bonner and Chris Buckler were back in court today as he was handed down a lengthy sentence. Warning: This episode features strong language and content that some listeners may find distressing. For help and support: www.bbc.co.uk/actionline

Episode 20: “The Most Perfect Daughter”

An interview with Natalie’s parents. Bernie and Noel McNally sit down with Kelly Bonner to talk about their ‘perfect daughter’. They tell of the deception their family suffered at the hands of their daughter’s killer. Stephen McCullagh was convicted of the murder of Natalie McNally earlier this week, and will be sentenced next month. Warning: This podcast features content which some listeners may find distressing. For help and support: www.bbc.co.uk/actionline

Episode 19: The Verdict

Stephen McCullagh has been found guilty of murdering Natalie McNally in her Lurgan home in December 2022. McCullagh, 36, of Woodland Gardens in Lisburn, had denied murdering his pregnant partner, but it took a jury just over two hours of deliberation to deliver a guilty verdict. Cheers erupted at Belfast Crown Court when the verdict was read out. Kelly Bonner and Chris Buckler have been in court every day throughout the trial. In tonight’s episode, we can listen and watch some of the key evidence the jury saw in court, and hear from Natalie’s family. Kelly and Chris piece together what Stephen McCullagh did in an attempt to cover his tracks. Warning: This episode contains distressing details, and very strong language from the beginning. If you’ve been affected by any of the issues raised in this podcast, help and support is available at www.bbc.co.uk/actionline

Episode 18: The Judge and the jury

A special podcast series from BBC News NI covering the trial of a man accused of the murder of Natalie McNally in Lurgan in 2022. Stephen McCullagh, 36, from Woodland Gardens in Lisburn, county Antrim, has denied her murder. Ms McNally was 32 years old and 15 weeks pregnant when she died. Kelly Bonner and Chris Buckler will bring you the evidence presented to the jury in court each day. Today the judge summarised the case for the jury – going over the evidence that they should consider. He will finish that on Monday, when the jury is sent out to decide whether Stephen McCullagh is guilty, or not guilty. Subscribe now on BBC Sounds and on the BBC NI YouTube channel. Warning : This episode contains descriptions of violence and content that some listeners may find distressing.

Episode 17: ‘Walking-talking reasonable doubt’

A special podcast series from BBC News NI covering the trial of a man accused of the murder of Natalie McNally in Lurgan in 2022. Stephen McCullagh, 36, from Woodland Gardens in Lisburn, county Antrim, has denied her murder. Ms McNally was 32 years old and 15 weeks pregnant when she died. Kelly Bonner and Chris Buckler will bring you the evidence presented to the jury in court each day. Today it was the defence’s turn to make their final statement to the jury. John Kearney KC, a barrister for Stephen McCullagh, told the jury that Natalie McNally’s former partner is ‘walking-talking reasonable doubt’ in the case. He said this was a ‘classic circumstantial case’ without eyewitnesses or direct evidence. The case continues. Subscribe now on BBC Sounds and on the BBC NI YouTube channel. Warning : This episode features some strong language and content that some listeners may find distressing.