Natalie McNally’s family thank friends, family and public for support

By Bairbre Holmes, Press Association

Natalie McNally’s family have thanked friends, family and the wider public for their support, saying without it “we would we would not have got through this most difficult time in our lives”.

McNally’s brothers Declan and Niall McNally spoke outside Belfast Crown Court after Stephen McCullagh, 36, of Woodland Gardens, Lisburn, was found guilty of her murder on Monday.

Niall thanked the McNally and Haddock families, as well as “wider family and friends for their continued support over the past three-and-a-half years”.

He also thanked “all the communities from Lurgan, Craigavon and the whole of Northern Ireland and beyond for the support they’ve given us”.

Declan paid tribute to his sister, he said: “Having you in our lives was the greatest joy we’ll ever have.

“You would have been an amazing mother to baby Dean.

“We will love you forever and we hope you can now rest easy.”

He also delivered a message about violence against women: “As Natalie receives justice today, our hearts go out to all the victims of violence against women and girls

“Our hope is that all the victims and families get their day in court and the justice they deserve.

“Violence against women and girls is the shame of our society and we must do everything possible to end it.”

He also paid tribute to their “amazing” parents and said: “I don’t know how they’ve done it.”

He added: “They have the biggest strength you could ever think of.

“They’ve held us all together, it’s just amazing, we love you very much”.