Jury hears details of WhatsApp messages in McNally trial
The jury in the trial of a man accused of killing his pregnant girlfriend has heard details of WhatsApp messages exchanged between them on the day she died.
36-year-old Stephen McCullagh, with an address at Woodlawn Gardens in Lisburn, has denied murdering Natalie McNally.
The prosecution believes that Ms McNally was killed at her home in Silverwood Green in Lurgan between 8.50pm and 9.30pm on Sunday 18 December 2022.
The 32-year-old was 15 weeks pregnant at the time.
The trial has previously heard that Mr McCullagh made a 999 call from her home at 9.59pm the following day, on the 19 December.
Today, a transcript of a series of Whatsapp messages exchanged between Mr McCullagh and Ms McNally on the 18 December 2022 was read to the jury.
The messages discussed the World Cup final between France and Argentina that was being played at the time.
Mr McCullagh sent a message to Ms McNally at 5.57pm to say "Right, I'm off to stream the night away. Wish me luck".
At 5.59pm, Ms McNally replied, "Good luck. I might have a peek at your live stream later".
The jury were told that earlier that day, Mr McCullagh had purchased an 8-pack of Guinness and a bottle of Buckfast at 3.10pm, before posting an ad to his X and Instagram accounts, advertising a live stream event at 4pm.
The ad read: "Surprise, join us in 2 hours for some festive streaming goodness, live!!!".
Stephen McCullagh's phone was seized by police
The defendant's phone was seized by police on the 19 December and two reports were compiled following an examination.
The jury was told that on 13 December 2022, Mr McCullagh used the phone to search the CEX website, which sells pre-owned videogames.
The next day, on the 14 December, he used the phone to search for guidance on streaming setups and connecting a PS3 to computer speakers.
The court heard he also purchased two videogames from CEX in Lisburn that day, Grand Theft Auto Vice City and Star Wars Battlefront 2.
On the same day, Mr McCullagh and Ms McNally exchanged WhatsApp messages discussing decorating for Christmas, with the pair agreeing to watch a "cheesy Disney movie" the following night.
Three exhibits were also admitted into evidence today.
The jury was shown a knife, a sheet of paper that was found beside Ms McNally's body, and a metal bowl.
Portions of a six-hour videogame stream are being played to the jury this afternoon.
