Natalie McNally Murder: YouTuber on Trial

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

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

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

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.

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.

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 prosecution made their final arguments bringing the days of evidence together – in an attempt to present a coherent case against the defendant Stephen McCullagh. The prosecution barrister accused him of lies – and went through what he argues are the inconsistencies in his story. And presenting a false alibi. 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. This episode has been edited for accuracy.

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 jury heard that Stephen McCullagh won’t face cross-examination or testify in his defence in this case. Earlier in court, the investigating police officer said that he believed there was a lack of ‘any real affection’ in messages between Natalie McNally and the defendant. The defence argued that the messages were “peppered” with “considerable expressions of mutual love and affection”. The case continues. Subscribe now on BBC Sounds and on the BBC News NI YouTube channel. If you’ve been affected by any of the issues in this podcast, help is available at www.bbc.co.uk/actionline

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 jury heard about text messages Natalie McNally had sent to a man, a week before her death, saying she was considering breaking up with Stephen McCullagh. The court also heard about a 39 minute audio file, found on the defendant’s phone, that was recorded in Natalie's parents' home just weeks after her death. The case continues. Subscribe now on BBC Sounds and on the BBC News NI YouTube channel. If you’ve been affected by any of the issues in this podcast, help is available at www.bbc.co.uk/actionline

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 jury heard more about Natalie McNally’s ex-boyfriend's alibi. When she became upset over text messages, the Judge had to intervene. The case continues. Subscribe now on BBC Sounds and on the BBC News NI YouTube channel. If you’ve been affected by any of the issues in this podcast, help is available at www.bbc.co.uk/actionline

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 jury heard angry exchanges on the third day of Natalie McNally’s ex-boyfriend being questioned. His ex-girlfriend was also in the witness box, when she admitted to telling lies to police over allegations he had assaulted her. There were also more shouts across the courtroom at the defendant. The case continues. Subscribe now on BBC Sounds and on the BBC News NI YouTube channel. If you’ve been affected by any of the issues in this podcast, help is available at www.bbc.co.uk/actionline

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 jury heard from Natalie’s ex-boyfriend for the second day, when he admitted he repeatedly lied to police when he was questioned in the days after her death. He insisted that he had nothing to do with Natalie’s killing, but he was asked about separate allegations linked to drugs, threats and another assault. The case continues. Subscribe now on BBC Sounds and on the BBC NI YouTube channel. Warning: This episode contains sexual and violent content, that some listeners may find offensive, and references suicide. If you’ve been affected by any of the issues in this podcast, help is available at www.bbc.co.uk/actionline

Warning: This episode contains very strong language which some listeners may find offensive, and deals with adult themes. 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 jury heard from Natalie’s ex-boyfriend, who, in an emotional outburst from the witness box, accused Stephen McCullagh of killing her. This former partner admitted he was not proud of how he had treated Natalie after details of sexually explicit and violent messages between them were read out in court. The case continues. Subscribe now on BBC Sounds and on the BBC NI YouTube channel. If you’ve been affected by any of the issues in this podcast, help is available at www.bbc.co.uk/actionline

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 jury heard that Stephen McCullagh recorded counselling sessions his ex-girlfriend was receiving after she lost a baby. She also said that he slapped and punched her after she attempted suicide. The defence challenged this saying that he had intervened to prevent her hurting herself. The case continues. Subscribe now on BBC Sounds and on the BBC NI YouTube channel. Warning: This episode contains discussion of suicide which some people may find upsetting. If you’ve been affected by any of the issues in this podcast, help is available at www.bbc.co.uk/actionline

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. The one time best friend of the accused tells the trial that Stephen McCullagh was “inconsolable” after finding Natalie’s body. She also raised questions about the YouTube livestream which Mr McCullagh initially used as an alibi – claiming he “lied” to her about it. The case continues. Subscribe now on BBC Sounds and on the BBC NI YouTube channel. Warning : This episode features content that some listeners may find distressing.

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 at the trial Natalie McNally’s family tell the court how they welcomed the man accused of her killing to her wake on Christmas Day in 2022 and into their lives The case continues Subscribe now on BBC Sounds and on the BBC NI YouTube channel. Warning : This episode features content that some listeners may find distressing. If you’ve been affected by any of the issues in this podcast, help is available at www.bbc.co.uk/actionline

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. On day 5 of the trial, the jury were played Stephen McCullagh’s first police interviews, in which he told Police that her ex-boyfriend was “harassing” her in the days leading up to her death. The case continues. Subscribe now on BBC Sounds and on the BBC NI YouTube channel. Warning: This episode features content that some listeners may find distressing. If you’ve been affected by any of the issues in this podcast, help is available at www.bbc.co.uk/actionline

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. On day 4 of the trial, the jury was shown extensive CCTV material, including footage of a figure getting out of a taxi at Stephen McCullagh’s house on the night Natalie died. The case continues. Subscribe now on BBC Sounds and on the BBC NI YouTube channel. If you’ve been affected by any of the issues in this podcast, help is available at www.bbc.co.uk/actionline

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. On day 3 of the trial, the jury has been shown what the prosecution described as the ‘so-called’ YouTube livestream that Stephen McCullagh initially used as an alibi. Phone messages exchanged between the pair on the day that Natalie was killed were also read out. The case continues. Subscribe now on BBC Sounds and on the BBC NI YouTube channel. Warning: Contains graphic content and strong language. If you’ve been affected by any of the issues in this podcast, help is available at www.bbc.co.uk/actionline

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. On day 2 of the trial, the jury heard about the murder scene, the extent of Natalie’s injuries, and her likely cause of death. The case continues. Subscribe now on BBC Sounds and on the BBC NI YouTube channel. Warning: Contains graphic content. If you’ve been affected by any of the issues in this podcast, help is available at www.bbc.co.uk/actionline

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. On the first day of the trial - the prosecution laid out the case against Stephen McCullagh, and the jury heard the 999 call the defendant made the night after she died. The case continues. Subscribe now on BBC Sounds and on the BBC NI YouTube channel. If you’ve been affected by any of the issues in this podcast, help is available at www.bbc.co.uk/actionline