A 34-year old man accused of murdering his pregnant partner Natalie McNally was refused bail today on grounds including concerns of his alleged “mastery of media.”
Stephen McCullagh - who has denied murdering Ms McNally in her home in Lurgan in December 2022 - launched the bid to be released from custody at Belfast Crown Court.
Ms McNally was aged 32 and 15 weeks pregnant when she was found with fatal stab wounds.
The accused, from Woodland Gardens in Derryaghy, appeared for the bail hearing via a videolink with HMP Maghaberry.
As Ms McNally’s family sat in the public gallery, a crown prosecutor outlined several objections to McCullagh’s release.
Saying there was a “prima facie” case against McCullagh, prosecuting barrister Charles MacCreanor KC said it was the Crown’s case that the murder of Ms McNally was “executed with a great deal of planning and pre-meditation.”
Mr MacCreanor said this included the lengths McCullagh went to in provided a “false alibi” which included doctoring a live youTube live stream - as well as his browsing history in November 2022 which included searches such as ‘in an execution by gunshot, is it more painful to be shot in the head or the heard’ and ‘which is less painful, drowning or burning to death.’
He also raised concerns about a risk of re-offending if released and a risk of flight.
Defence barrister Craig Patton spoke of the “presumption of innocence” that his client was entitled to and an assurance that he would abide by any bail conditions imposed.
Mr Patton also revealed that McCullagh had a clear criminal record.
After listening to submissions from both the Crown and defence, Mr Justice O’Hara spoke of the suggestions that McCullagh was a “mastery of media” and a “particularly skillful and manipulative individual.”
Refusing bail on the grounds that there was a risk of interfering with justice, Mr Justice O’Hara then set the date for the murder trial to commence as Tuesday May 6, 2025.