Stephen McCullagh has been ordered to serve at least 31 years in prison after appearing at Belfast Crown Court for the 2022 murder of Natalie McNally in Lurgan. The 36-year-old was previously handed a life sentence in March after a jury reached a unanimous guilty verdict.

Welcoming the sentencing, Senior Investigating Officer Detective Chief Inspector Neil McGuinness stated: "Natalie McNally was 32 years old when she was murdered in her own home. This young woman – a much-loved daughter and sister – was 15 weeks pregnant, and excited to be planning the rest of her life as a mother."

Detective Chief Inspector McGuinness continued: "McCullagh travelled to Natalie's home in Lurgan on the night of Sunday 18 December, the week before Christmas.

"Here, he carried out a sustained and shockingly violent attack, which took Natalie's life and that of her unborn son.

"Having returned to his Lisburn home, McCullagh revisited the address some 24 hours later, whereupon, pretending to have just discovered the tragic scene, he phoned the Ambulance Service. Here, and for the weeks that followed, he masqueraded as a distraught and caring partner."

Reflecting on the complex nature of the police operation, Detective Chief Inspector McGuinness added: "Stephen McCullagh was arrested at the scene and initially released. After a painstaking and largescale investigation, which included hundreds of house-to-house enquiries and an examination of thousands of hours of CCTV footage, he was re-arrested and charged.

"This was an attack that sent shockwaves right across the community. Not only was it distressingly brutal in nature, it was meticulously and coldly premeditated. "McCullagh had devised an alibi, seemingly livestreaming for six hours on a social media platform at the time of Natalie's murder. In reality, he had walked some distance from his home and taken a bus to Lurgan – all the while concealing his appearance – in order to carry out his attack.

"Thanks to the efforts and expertise of our Cyber Crime officers, irrefutable evidence was obtained to show that this footage had in fact been pre-recorded several days earlier.

"Today, thanks to the collective efforts of our Major Investigation Team and policing teams across the Police Service, and working in partnership with the Public Prosecution Service, the defendant has been held to account.

"At the same time, 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."

Labeling the crime a "tragic case of domestic homicide", the detective reaffirmed the commitment of the police to protecting vulnerable individuals.

He added: "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."