Ex-boyfriend of Natalie McNally says murder accused killed her

An ex-boyfriend of Natalie McNally has accused Stephen McCullagh of killing the 32-year-old.

McCullagh, 36, from Woodland Gardens in Lisburn, County Antrim, has denied murdering his pregnant partner Natalie, who was killed in her Silverwood Green home in Lurgan on 18 December 2022.

On Monday the trial heard details of exchanges between Natalie and her former boyfriend in the months leading up to her death.

The man, who cannot be named due to a reporting restriction, added that he was "not proud" of the exchanges, but said to McCullagh: "Natalie really was my best friend, and you killed her."

He was warned by the judge to remain calm and continued to stare at McCullagh and shake his head.

McCullagh had told police and Natalie's family that he believed her former boyfriend was responsible for her death.

The former boyfriend said he and Natalie met on Tinder and that after this he moved into her house.

He said that after securing a flat, he moved out "after Covid" but they "kept meeting up" on a regular basis.

When asked when his relationship with Natalie ended, the witness said she was his "best friend" and that the relationship "never ended, as far as friends went".

He said the last time he and Natalie were together sexually was around October 2022 in her house.

The email and text exchanges between Natalie and her former boyfriend were read to Belfast Crown Court.

Some of the messages were sexually explicit in nature but also focused on the failure of their relationship, continued engagement with one another and discussions around video games, relationships and family.

Natalie's former boyfriend told the court: "I am not proud of any of this. I definitely took advantage of Natalie. I feel horrible about it."

The former couple were texting up until the day of her death.

They discussed the World Cup Final and he suggested that they meet up the following morning.

The former boyfriend told the court that Natalie was "the nicest girl ever, she would have done anything for anybody".

He said: "I wish I'd have been better to her" and added: "We were two consenting adults. I know they [the texts] don't look good."

The former boyfriend was asked if he had anything to do with the death of the pregnant woman. He said: "No, not one bit."

He then looked at the defendant and said: "He was. He did it. A blind person could see that."

He was reminded again by Charles MacCreanor KC to only answer questions he was asked.

He told the court he discovered Natalie had been killed by receiving a Snapchat from Natalie's neighbour saying: "Have you heard about Natalie?"

He said he replied saying "no" and she answered: "She's been murdered."

He said: "So that's how I found out."

John Kearney KC in cross examination asked him about Natalie's dog, River.

The boyfriend said: "I know where you are going with this."

Kearney replied: "What do you mean you know where I am going with this?"

The ex-boyfriend said: "I know you are going to suggest that because I knew the dog it wouldn't have attacked me."

He then said: "It wasn't me."

He pointed to the defendant and said: "It was him."

Kearney asked: "Do you have a problem with anger control?"

He said: "I've been extremely stressed for the last three years. I've been accused of murder which is something I didn't do."

He was asked again: "Do you have anger issues?"

He replied: "Potentially at times, yes."

The ex-boyfriend said: "Natalie would have been a fantastic mother. I have no doubt about that."

Aggressive messages he had sent to another partner were also read out. He was asked if he had threatened to stab, kill and strangle her to which he said: "No, no, no I didn't."