Everything you need to know as Natalie McNally murder trial set to begin

Need to know

The trial of Stephen McCullagh, who has denied murdering Natalie McNally in Lurgan in December 2022, will commence on Monday 16 February

Everything you need to know:

• The trial over the murder of Natalie McNally is set to commence on Monday, 16 February, after barristers agreed to exempt the case from the ongoing strike.
• Ms McNally, 32, died after she was stabbed at her home in Lurgan, Co Armagh, on December 18 2022. She was 15 weeks pregnant.
• Stephen McCullagh, 35, from Woodland Gardens, Lisburn, has denied murdering her.
• The case faced potential delays due to strike action by criminal barristers, which began in January amid a long-running dispute over the fees paid for legal aid work.
• The industrial action effectively halted Crown Court cases involving people who required legal aid. However, the striking barristers have agreed to an exemption in this case.
• Last month, prosecuting barrister Charles MacCreanor KC sought February 16 as a start date for the trial. He said this date had been chosen in consultation with the family, the defence, investigating police and witnesses.
• The trial was initially due to begin last November but was adjourned after a large volume of new evidence was presented to the defence.

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