Family’s “unimaginable pain and grief” over murder of Natalie McNally and her unborn baby

Last week, on June 3rd, Stephen McCullagh was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Natalie McNally in December 2022. The family of Natalie McNally say that they have themselves been “serving a life sentence” since she was murdered. Natalie was 15 weeks pregnant with a baby boy, who she named Dean, when her life was so violently and senselessly taken by her then-partner and father of her unborn child.

As reported in the Irish Times, Judge Patrick Kinney, when sentencing Stephen McCullagh for the murder of Natalie McNally, said the 31 year minimum sentence "cannot possibly reflect the value of Natalie's life, or indeed that of her unborn child, Dean".

‘“Significant weight” was attached to the death of her child, Dean, as an aggravating factor in the sentencing tariff, according to the judge, who said it was “difficult to find words” to describe the “abhorrence” of the attack.”

When speaking to UTV News, Detective Chief Inspector Neill McGuinness stated that “a loving family are left with unimaginable heartache. They have lost their beloved Natalie and the baby boy they so dearly wanted to welcome into their family”.

“Somehow, amidst their sorrow, they have managed to show the most incredible dignity and strength, right throughout our investigation.

“Their kindness is in stark contrast to the cruelty, and calculated web of deceit spun by McCullagh.”

DCI McGuinness said the murder was a “tragic case of domestic homicide”.

He said: “Sadly, we know that domestic abuse can take many forms, and we know that it can affect anyone. In this case, an appalling and ultimate act of violence has taken a young woman’s life.

“As a victim-focused organisation, violence against women and girls is a priority for us. It can’t be and won’t be tolerated.

“While we, along with partners, will continue to speak out and do everything in our power to tackle this issue.

“It’s noteworthy and commendable that the McNally family have also found the strength to speak out, not only about their own tragic circumstances, but about the issue as a whole.”

He concluded: “As we leave court today, my thoughts and those of the team remain firmly with Natalie’s loved ones.”

Comment: The premeditated, callous and degrading murder of Natalie McNally was the cause of significant grief and outrage across the country. It was widely felt that Natalie’s pregnancy added another level of brutality to the senseless and violent taking of her life by her then-partner and father of her unborn child. 

At just 15 weeks pregnant, she knew the sex of her baby and had named him. Natalie was no doubt looking to the future with great excitement and anticipation. By now, she should have a little 2 year old son. Of course, this is not how things turned out for her, because the man who should have been minding Natalie and making her feel safe, took advantage of her vulnerability and violently ended her precious life.

One may notice that the value of the life of her unborn child was also widely recognised within the court room, the media and general public. This is, rightly, often the case when a pregnant woman is horrifically murdered or tragically loses her life. Moments like these reflect a persistent and undeniable truth about the value of every life that remains engrained and unchanged in the human heart and mind.