Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
National
Harry Taylor and agency

Police seize car in Natalie McNally murder investigation

Natalie McNally
Natalie McNally was stabbed to death in her home in Lurgan, County Armagh, on 18 December. Photograph: PSNI/PA

Detectives investigating the murder of Natalie McNally in Northern Ireland have seized a car.

The vehicle was taken from an address in the Lisburn and Castlereagh area for further examination.

Officers also carried out house-to-house inquiries in the Lisburn area on Saturday.

McNally, 32, was stabbed to death at her home in Lurgan, County Armagh, on 18 December, when she was 15 weeks pregnant.

Police have made two arrests after the killing in the Silverwood Green area of the town, but nobody has been charged.

Two 32-year-old men who were arrested in the days afterwards have been released, with one no longer being considered a suspect.

Earlier this week, the police said their main line of inquiry was that McNally was killed by someone she knew and had let into her home.

On Saturday, Det Ch Insp Neil McGuinness, leading the investigation, said officers will revisit the murder scene on Sunday in an attempt to encourage anyone with information to come forward.

McGuinness said: “Tomorrow … will mark three weeks since Natalie, who was 15 weeks pregnant, was brutally murdered in her own home.

“Tomorrow our officers will be revisiting the scene. We will be speaking with motorists and pedestrians in a determined attempt to jog memories. This is just one part of an extensive investigation, in which we’ve already carried out hundreds of house-to-house inquiries and seized over 3,000 hours of CCTV footage.

“The deaths of Natalie and her unborn baby have left unimaginable heartache to a loving family, whose world has been turned upside down. Amidst their pain, Natalie’s devoted family have, somehow, found the strength to appeal publicly for anyone with information to do the right thing and speak up.

“And, likewise, we remain absolutely steadfast in our determination to bring the killer to justice.”

McGuinness repeated his plea for help in identifying a man seen arriving at and leaving the street where McNally lived. CCTV footage has been released by police in the hope he will be recognised and the information passed to them.

He noted that the crime took place on the same day as the World Cup final.

“I’m asking you to cast your mind back to that Sunday. If you witnessed anything untoward, no matter how insignificant it may seem, or if you have captured dashcam or CCTV footage, please get in touch.”

A £20,000 reward has been offered by Crimestoppers, which receives information anonymously.

A silent vigil took place at Stormont, the Northern Irish parliament, on Thursday, attended by McNally’s three brothers.

Declan McNally said: “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.”

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.