Natalie McNally’s brother says her killer should ‘never be released’

Declan McNally said the process would be retraumatising for the family (Mark Marlow/PA)

The brother of murdered Natalie McNally has said he believes that the man convicted of her murder should “never be released”.

Declan McNally was reacting after it emerged that Stephen McCullagh has launched an appeal against the 31-year minimum jail term he received for killing his pregnant partner in December 2022.

Mr McNally said the news of the appeal against sentence had been “retraumatising” for his family.

McCullagh, 36, of Woodland Gardens, Lisburn, faked a YouTube gaming livestream in an effort to provide an alibi for the murder of Ms McNally at her home in Lurgan.

 Stephen McCullagh will appeal against the sentence he received after he was handed a life sentence prison tariff of 31 years (PSNI/PA)

A post-mortem examination found Ms McNally had suffered a “prolonged assault” that included multiple stab wounds, strangulation and blows to the head.

McCullagh was told by a judge at Belfast Crown Court in June that he will serve at least 31 years in prison for the killing after being found guilty by a jury.

The Public Prosecution Service (PPS) in Northern Ireland has since been notified that an appeal against the sentence has now been lodged.

Natalie McNally was murdered at her home in Lurgan in December 2022 (Family handout/PA)

Mr McNally told the BBC Good Morning Ulster programme that the PPS had called his family on Monday to notify them about the appeal.

He said: “It’s just another blow. My mum and dad, they’re strong and resilient people.

“We shouldn’t have to be so strong again and again and again, it’s just completely retraumatising the whole family.”

Mr McNally added: “It just speaks to the character of the murderer, the way he’s acted before, during, and after the murder, after the trial, you just expect the complete worst from that individual.

“He hasn’t shown any remorse, no regret, no responsibility, and now he’s going to court again, looking to reduce sentence. It’s astonishing.”

Mr McNally said it was another “knock” for the family, which would now have to wait to find out when the appeal hearing will take place.

In my opinion, sentence should be going up. In my opinion, the person should never be released

He said: “My dad said last night, we’re watching the World Cup, Natalie was murdered the night of the last World Cup final, and here we are watching the next World Cup and we’re still getting news about court.

“We sort of hoped that after sentencing, that we would have the space and time and calmness to be able to grieve in a more proper way, but that’s less likely now with this appeal.”

Mr McNally said McCullagh’s sentence should be increased, rather than reduced.

He said: “He hasn’t shown an ounce of remorse.

“I don’t know if he views (it) as some sort of free hit – why not just have an appeal if he’s nothing to lose?

“But it’s not a free hit for our family, we’re back in the court process worrying. It will be hanging over us again.

“In my opinion, sentence should be going up. In my opinion, the person should never be released.”