The family of Natalie McNally, who was murdered and 15 weeks pregnant, have expressed their outrage after her killer, Stephen McCullagh, began an appeal against his sentence. The news emerged on December 18, 2022, while Natalie’s family were watching the World Cup final, adding to their ongoing distress.
McCullagh, 36, was sentenced in June after being convicted of murdering Natalie McNally. A post-mortem examination revealed she had endured a prolonged assault involving multiple stab wounds, strangulation, and severe head trauma.
Natalie’s brother, Declan, described the appeal as further evidence of McCullagh's character. "It just speaks to his character completely," he stated. "That he would do it just speaks to his hideous nature. Then his behaviour since that he'd put us all through a horrific trial despite all the overwhelming evidence. And at the end he now expects to have an appeal and get the sentence reduced."
He added that if the sentence were to be reviewed, it should only be increased. "If they're going to look at the sentence again, the only way the sentence should be going is up," Declan said.
McCullagh's actions following the murder included returning to Natalie's home the next day to feign discovering her body and making a distressed 999 call. He was arrested at the scene but initially released after claiming he was live-streaming video games on YouTube at the time of the murder. During the investigation, he presented himself as a grieving boyfriend, attending Natalie's wake and vigil.
Prosecutors revealed during his trial that McCullagh had secretly recorded conversations at the family home by intentionally leaving his mobile phone behind. This was allegedly done to ascertain if Natalie's family suspected him or had discussed the police investigation.