Brothers of pregnant woman who was murdered give interview

Brothers of pregnant woman, 32, who was found murdered in her Northern Ireland home days before Christmas say they are ‘running on adrenaline’ as they launch fresh appeal to find her killer

• Natalie McNally was stabbed to death in her home in Lurgan, Northern Ireland 
• The 32-year-old was 15 weeks pregnant with a boy when she was murdered
• Read more: Police hunting killer of Natalie McNally will revisit murder scene

The brothers of Natalie McNally, a pregnant woman who was murdered in Northern Ireland a few days before Christmas, have described how they have been ‘running on adrenaline’ since learning of her death. 

Ms McNally, who was 15 weeks pregnant, was stabbed in her home in the Silverwood Green area of Lurgan on December 18.

Police arrested two 32-year-old men in December but both were later released and no one has been charged.

Speaking to BBC one month after her murder, her brother Niall said: ‘I think we’re all running on adrenaline really, just what’s happened and now we’re just trying to fight for our justice really and that keeps us going.’

The brothers of Natalie McNally, a pregnant woman who was murdered in Northern Ireland a few days before Christmas , have described how they have been ‘running on adrenaline’ since learning of her death

Meanwhile Declan said: ‘We’re one month on, and the killer is still walking the streets. We need everybody to go again. 

‘We need everybody to  think again.’

‘Think back to that night, think back to the night of the World Cup Final, what were you doing? Think if you have any CCTV of that time or the days after. 

‘Anything unusual? Cause we need everyone on our side to go again. We’re grateful for what everyone has done but we need everyone again to think back and come forward to tell us anything.’ 

Speaking to BBC one month after her murder, her brothers Niall and Declan told of their heartbreak 

Elsewhere, the brothers recalled how they were told of their sister’s murder.

TIMELINE  

18 DECEMBER

20:52 – CCTV captures a man carrying rucksack arriving in Natalie McNally’s street 

21:30 – CCTV footage shows a man leaving 

19 DECEMBER

22:00 – Emergency services called to Ms McNally’s house, where she is pronounced dead.

A man in his 30s is arrested on suspicion of murder. 

20 DECEMBER

Suspect released and police say they are treated the death as ‘suspicious’

21 DECEMBER 

Police say she suffered from stab wounds, including some of which were defensive.

They announce her death is being treated as a murder 

A 32-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder

22 DECEMBER

The CCTV footage showing the man with the backpack is released.

The 32-year-old is released on police bail.   

5 JANUARY 

Police say they have recovered the murder weapon and that it came from Natalie’s home

6 JANUARY 

Natalie’s parents give a heartbreaking interview to press, where they appeal for new information  

7 JANUARY 

Police say they will revisit the murder scene to find new witnesses  

Niall explained how he ‘screamed’ when his parents told him the news, adding it was half past five in the morning when he first heard from them.  

 Natalie’s mother Bernie previously told Sky News of her heartbreak at her daughter’s murder just days before Christmas. 

‘All her presents we had for her, all wrapped up, they’re all upstairs and you look at them, it’s heart-breaking.

‘This was an innocent girl and her baby’s life and I have to think God, in her last few minutes, was she pleading for her life? Was she pleading for her baby’s life?’

Earlier this morning, Detective Chief Inspector Neil McGuinness, leading the investigation, said his main line of inquiry was that Ms McNally, 32, was killed by someone she knew and was comfortable allowing into her home.

Mr McGuinness also said he did not think there was a risk to other women in the area.

A PSNI spokesman said: ‘Detectives investigating the murder of Natalie McNally are carrying out searches of the Silverwood Green area in Lurgan as part of the ongoing investigation.

‘Detectives attended a business property in Armagh and Craigavon yesterday to carry out inquiries as part of the investigation.’

It is understood the inquiries at the business premises related to the seizure of CCTV footage from public transport.

Ms McNally worked for Translink. A spokesperson for the company said: ‘We were shocked and deeply saddened by the loss of our colleague and friend Natalie.

‘We will assist the PSNI in every way possible.’

Police said earlier in the week that they believe they have recovered the weapon used in the murder.

A silent vigil for Ms McNally, at Parliament Buildings, Stormont, was attended by her three brothers.

Her brother Declan told those at the vigil: ‘Whatever differences of opinions there are in this country we know there is no difference of opinion and everybody wants to see an end to violence against women and girls.

‘And everybody in society has to redouble our efforts to end violence against women and girls in memory of our sister Natalie.’

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) have released CCTV footage of the suspect they believe is responsible for Natalie’s murder

The brothers held on to each other as a minute of silence was held outside the landmark building in Belfast.

The silence was observed for Ms McNally as well as Bruna Fonesca, who was found dead in an apartment in Cork on New Year’s Day.

Declan thanked all who have supported his family as they seek justice for his sister.

‘Whatever differences of opinions there are in this country we know there is no difference of opinion and everybody wants to see an end to violence against women and girls,’ he said.

Sinn Fein vice president Michelle O’Neill organised the vigil at Stormont.

‘We are very conscious today that we need to remember all victims of gender-based violence, all those who have lost their lives,’ she told the gathering.

Family members carry the casket of murder victim Natalie McNally following her funeral service at her parents’ home in Lurgan, Northern Ireland, December 26, 2022

Sinn Fein vice president Michelle O’Neill with Natalie McNally’s brothers (left to right) Declan, Niall and Brendan during a vigil for women who have died in violent circumstances outside the Parliament Buildings, Belfast. Ms McNally 32, was fatally stabbed at her home in Lurgan in December. Picture date: Thursday January 5, 2023

Ms O’Neill added: ‘We have a problem in our society with misogyny and we need to tackle it and I know this is the strong message that we are here today to send to the families of all those who have lost loved ones to show them that support and say enough is enough and that we’re not going to tolerate this in our society.’

The Sinn Fein Stormont leader visited Ms McNally’s parents at the family home on Wednesday evening.

‘What they crucially want today is that we actually make that direct appeal… that anybody that has the slightest bit of information, no matter how insignificant you may think it is, please bring it forward because it so important that they get justice for Natalie,’ she said.

‘So today we want to reinforce that strong message – please come forward, if anybody has information please get in touch with police or Crimestoppers.’

The relatives of other women who have died in violent circumstances who attended included Claire Doran, whose sister Jennifer Doran, 30, was killed at her home in west Belfast in 2019, and Joanne Dorrian, whose sister Lisa has been missing since 2005 and is believed to have been murdered.

Natalie’s brothers (left to right) Declan, Niall and Brendan during a vigil for women who have died in violent circumstances outside the Parliament Buildings, Belfast, January 5

Declan thanked all who have supported his family as they seek justice for his sister. ‘Whatever differences of opinions there are in this country we know there is no difference of opinion and everybody wants to see an end to violence against women and girls,’ he said.

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