Man, 32, charged with murder after 32-year-old pregnant woman stabbed to death

Natalie McNally was 15 weeks pregnant when she was attacked in her own home (Picture: PA)

A 32-year-old man has been charged with the murder of Natalie McNally at her home in Co Armagh.

She was 15 weeks pregnant when she was attacked in December.

Detectives investigating the murder carried out hundreds of house-to-house inquiries and combed through more than 4,000 hours of CCTV footage.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) confirmed a 32-year-old man was re-arrested in Lisburn on January 31 – he was previously arrested on December 19 – and charged with murder.

He is scheduled to appear at Lisburn Magistrates Court on Thursday.

Ms McNally, 32, who was 15 weeks pregnant, was stabbed in her home in Lurgan on December 18.

More than 1,000 people gathered at a rally in her memory at Lurgan Park on Saturday.

The rally was organised by the National Women’s Council (NWC) and was attended by Natalie’s parents Noel and Bernie and her brothers Brendan, Niall and Declan.

A number of politicians were in attendance, including Sinn Fein’s Stormont leader Michelle O’Neill.

Many of those in attendance carried placards reading: ‘Justice for Natalie’, and: ‘She was only at home’, while a number wore pink or blue items of clothing in memory of the mother-to-be.

Brendan McNally told the rally that his sister was an inspiration to other women.

He said: ‘Natalie was a remarkable person. From the age of three she lived with type one diabetes.

Sinn Fein vice president Michelle O’Neill with Natalie’s brothers (left to right) Declan, Niall and Brendan (Picture: PA)

‘However, it remains a testament to her character that she was never restrained in what she wanted to achieve in life.

‘She was delighted to be becoming a mother for the first time. For any young person living with diabetes in Northern Ireland, Natalie is an ideal inspiration.’

He added: ‘Violence against women and girls is one of the great scourges of our society.

‘This is no basis for a shared future.

‘The time has long come for us to recognise that we cannot rest until the perpetual assaults against women are ended for good.’

Natalie was a lifelong Everton fan along with her family and had been to Goodison Park to enjoy games.

Earlier this month, the team displayed a picture of her and a message from her family at their Premier League game with Southampton.

It read: ‘Natalie McNally, 32, from Lurgan, Co Armagh.

‘She was tragically taken on 18/12/22. May she rest in peace.’

A PSNI spokesperson said all charges will be reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service, as is normal procedure.

Natalie McNally’s parents, mother Bernie and father Noel, with brother Niall (right) (Picture: PA)

Natalie McNally’s parents, mother Bernie and father Noel (Picture: PA)

Friends carry the casket of murder victim Natalie McNally (Picture: PA)

Credit: metro.co.uk