Natalie McNally murder file is some months away, court hears

Image source, McNally family

Image caption, Natalie McNally was expecting a baby boy when she was killed in December 2022

It will be months before a prosecution case against a man accused of murdering a pregnant woman in her home is ready, a court has been told.

Stephen McCullagh, from Woodland Gardens in Lisburn, denies stabbing Natalie McNally in Lurgan, County Armagh, a week before last Christmas.

Ms NcNally, 32, was 15 weeks pregnant with his child when she was killed.

On Friday a prosecutor said "it will probably be some months" before a file against Mr McCullagh is complete.

The timing emerged when the case was briefly mentioned at Craigavon Magistrates' Court.

The judge said she intended to keep an eye on progress with the file.

The case is next due to be mentioned on 21 April when prosecutors are expected to give a date for when the file will be ready.

An earlier court hearing heard that police believe Mr McCullagh faked a live stream of a computer game to provide an alibi on the night he is accused of killing Ms McNally.

He was arrested the day after she was killed but later released and ruled out as a suspect.

He was rearrested on 31 January.

Earlier this month Mr McCullagh's application for bail at Belfast High Court was refused.