The ex-girlfriend described how Stephen McCullagh hit her, threatened to burn sentimental belongings, and secretly recorded counselling sessions about a stillbirth. She and Stephen McCullagh first met at the end of 2015 and had an off-and-on relationship over seven years. On December 30, 2019, the ex-girlfriend attempted to take her own life by jumping out of a car Stephen McCullagh was driving.
Stephen McCullagh discovered photos and messages the ex-girlfriend had shared with another man while fixing her phone. According to the ex-girlfriend, Stephen McCullagh became angry, slammed his fist into the bed, and shouted, 'Why would you do this? Why would you do this?
' However, defence barrister John Kearney said Stephen McCullagh had no recollection of punching the bed. The ex-girlfriend alleged Stephen McCullagh pushed her into the bath with his elbow where she sat for a couple of seconds in shock. Defence barrister John Kearney said Stephen McCullagh had no recollection of the bath incident.
The relationship between the ex-girlfriend's testimony and the murder case against Stephen McCullagh is unclear. The current status or outcome of Stephen McCullagh's trial for the murder of Natalie McNally has not been disclosed.