Overview of WhatsApp Messages in Murder Trial
A police officer testified that he perceived a lack of "any real affection" in nearly 500 pages of WhatsApp messages exchanged between Natalie McNally and Stephen McCullagh, the man accused of her murder.
Conversely, defence barrister John Kearney KC argued that the messages were "peppered" with "considerable expressions of mutual love and affection."
McCullagh, 36, from Woodland Gardens in Lisburn, County Antrim, denies murdering his pregnant partner Natalie at her Silverwood Green home in Lurgan on 18 December 2022.
Details of the WhatsApp Exchanges
On Monday, the court reviewed WhatsApp messages between Natalie and McCullagh spanning from 7 August 2022 to 19 December 2022, covering the 133 days of their relationship.
The initial message from McCullagh continued a conversation from an online dating app, reading:
"Hey Nat, it's that robot weirdo from Bumble,"
The couple then arranged their first date for that Thursday, discussing meeting for food and drinks. Subsequent messages referenced activities such as bowling and playing crazy golf.
Defence barrister John Kearney KC noted that the messages contained "not a single trace of any argument" and "not a nasty word." He described the conversations as covering various aspects of life including pets, jobs, food, health, car troubles, and hobbies.
"Her love of cheese was a running joke back and forth,"
Kearney added that the "harmonious" nature of their exchanges contrasted with Natalie's communications with her ex-partner, which reportedly included "lots of fall outs and less than choice language."
'Lack of Any Real Affection'
Detective Chief Inspector McGuinness acknowledged the differences in the messages but maintained that he perceived "a lack of any real affection."
"I didn't note affectionate language or kisses,"
When questioned by Kearney about whether he recalled messages containing love poems or "I love you" statements, the officer responded negatively.
"I would have expected more forthright communication from Natalie but it's hard to judge.
She was able to express herself in a very forthright way about what she felt or thought. Sexually yes, but she was also more substantive with people she was in friendship relationships with."
The defence challenged this view by highlighting exchanges such as Natalie sending a Seamus Heaney poem, to which McCullagh replied:
"You are the sweetest, loveliest person I've ever met."
Other messages included Natalie stating:
"We have a lifetime to do fun stuff together"
and later:
"I love you."
Kearney also pointed out messages where McCullagh expressed missing Natalie when she was absent, and her reply:
"You bring a lot of positivity into my life."
Notification of Pregnancy
The court heard that on 12 October 2022 at 09:54 GMT, Natalie contacted McCullagh saying she needed to talk to him, and shortly thereafter informed him that she was pregnant.
Kearney emphasized that the messages suggested McCullagh responded well to the unexpected news.
Following this revelation, discussions about moving in together ensued, with McCullagh mentioning plans to build an extension and referring to their unborn child as "little squish."
A message from McCullagh dated 13 October was read aloud, in which he promised abstinence from alcohol:
"If you can't drink then neither can I, only fair. We're in this together."
He later messaged:
"You've no idea how happy you have made me in such a short space of time."
