Texts show Natalie McNally considered breaking up with murder accused

Natalie McNally messaged a man a week before her death saying she was considering breaking up with the man accused of her murder.

Stephen 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 Friday, the court heard transcripts of messages Natalie exchanged with three other men over a six month period between June and December 2022.

The messages discussed Natalie's pregnancy, meet ups and some were sexual in nature.

In an exchange on 11 December 2022, one of the men, identified as Male C asked Natalie if she was going to break up with McCullagh.

She replied: "I wouldn't do it before Christmas, that would be mean. I will see how I feel in the New Year. I'll make no rash decisions."

Another man, identified as Male P, messaged Natalie, asking: "Are you and Stephen together?"

She replied: "We are still figuring it out for now. He's coming to the baby appointments. He's being very good about it.

"There is no point in acting like happy families if it's not what I want. I like my independence so right now I'm doing my own thing. I am not rushing into this family set up if it's not what I want."

In the messages, Natalie confirmed her due date was 8 June 2023.

A man identified as Male B spoke of her pregnancy, saying: "Just think next Christmas you'll be a mum. How cool."

Natalie replied: "I know, so exciting. My family are over the moon."

She told the man she "loved being pregnant" and that it "all felt so natural".

The court also heard McCullagh made a 39 minute audio recording in Natalie's parents' home just weeks after her death.

It was made two days before a rally in her honour at Lurgan Park on 26 January 2023.

Natalie's sister in law, Holly McNally, told the court she remembered McCullagh being in the McNally family home, only to return 20 minutes later to say that he had forgotten his telephone.

The court heard that the recording was of the McNally family's conversations that evening.

The court were also told on 18 December, the day of Natalie's death, searches were made on McCullagh's computer for bus and train timetables between Lurgan and Dunmurry, Lisburn and Moria.

The trial continues.