Lack of 'affection' in messages between Natalie McNally and murder accused, court hears

A police officer has said he believes there was a lack of "any real affection" in nearly 500 pages of WhatsApp messages between Natalie McNally and the man accused of murdering her.

However, a defence barrister for Stephen MCullagh argued the pages are "peppered" with "considerable expressions of mutual love and affection".

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

On Monday, the court heard details of WhatsApp messages between Natalie and McCullagh from 7 August 2022 until 19 December 2022.

This period of 133 days effectively covered the duration of their relationship.

The first message from McCullagh represented a continuation of messages between the two on an online dating app.

"Hey Nat, it's that robot weirdo from Bumble," the message read.

The pair then discuss meeting up that Thursday for their first date discussing meeting for food and drinks. Messages then indicate dates like bowling and playing crazy golf.

Defence barrister John Kearney KC said that in the messages there was "not a single trace of any argument" and "not a nasty word."

He said the messages focused on every aspect of life including pets, jobs, food, health, cars breaking down and hobbies.

"Her love of cheese was a running joke back and forth," Kearney added.

He said that the "harmonious" nature of their exchanges were in contrast to Natalie's exchanges with her ex which he said featured "lots of fall outs and less than choice language".

Det Ch Insp McGuinness agreed the messages were very different but said he felt there was "a lack of any real affection".

"I didn't note affectionate language or kisses," he said.

When pressed on this Kearney asked if the officer didn't recall messages about love poems or 'I love you's'.

He replied in the negative. He said: "I would have expected more forthright communication from Natalie but it's hard to judge.

"She was able to express herself in a very forthright way about what she felt or thought. Sexually yes, but she was also more substantive with people she was in friendship relationships with."

The defence challenged this, highlighting exchanges including Natalie sending a Seamus Heaney poem with McCullagh replying, "You are the sweetest, loveliest person I've ever met."

A later message from Natalie stated: "We have a lifetime to do fun stuff together", with a further message stating: "I love you".

Kearney also highlighted messages where McCullagh talks about how he misses her when she isn't there.

She replies: "You bring a lot of positivity into my life."

Court heard Natalie contacted McCullagh at 09:54 GMT on 12 October 2022 stating she needed to talk to him, informing him a short time later she was pregnant.

Kearney highlighted that the messages suggest McCullagh had taken the unexpected news well.

Following this, there were discussions of moving in together with McCullagh saying he was looking at building an extension, referring to their unborn baby as "little squish".

A message sent by the defendant on 13 October was read to court where he promises not to drink: "If you can't drink then neither can I, only fair. We're in this together."

He later messages: "You've no idea how happy you have made me in such a short space of time."

Following the completion of the prosecution case the defence confirmed on Monday afternoon that the defendant will not be taking the stand to give evidence.

"We are not calling any evidence on behalf of the defendant," Kearney said.

The court will sit again on Wednesday when the prosecution and the defence will make their final statements.

The trial continues.