Family say potential delay in trial is ‘kick in the teeth’ | UK News

The family of Natalie McNally have said they have been left in “limbo” after they were warned the trial into her murder may be delayed because of industrial action by barristers.

Ms McNally was 15 weeks pregnant when she was killed in her Lurgan home in December 2022. The man accused of her murder denies the charge and was due to go on trial next month.

Ms McNally’s brother Declan McNally said he did not know “the rights and wrongs of the industrial dispute” but it was “re-traumatising” for the family.

In a statement on Monday, a Bar Council spokesperson said the Criminal Bar Association “has not taken the decision to increase its withdrawal of services lightly”.

The spokesperson said the council regretted that the situation had “reached this point” and acknowledged the “profound impact” it would have on Northern Ireland’s criminal justice system, including victims, defendants and witnesses.

Justice Minister Naomi Long said she was “disappointed and frustrated” over the decision by barristers.

“My first thoughts are with the victims and witnesses who will be adversely affected by this very regrettable development,” she added.

Criminal barristers in Northern Ireland voted to withdraw from Crown Court cases following a dispute over legal aid fees.

An ongoing withdrawal from some cases will be extended to involve a withdrawal from all current Crown Court cases from 5 January 2026.

On Tuesday, Mr Justice Kinney said that while the trial “remains in place” for the 26 January, he was aware there may be difficulties due to the unavailability of counsel.

“I will hold the date in the hope that other matters will be resolved, nothing to do with this trial, but be prepared for the matter to put back for a period of time.

“I can only say I’m very sorry that that’s the circumstance we are all in but this is where we are.”

Thursday will be the anniversary of Ms McNally’s death – and Mr McNally described the potential delay as “a kick in the teeth”.

Her brother said: “Three years on and we’re still within the criminal justice system.”

Speaking on The Nolan Show, he said: “My mum and dad are very upset. It’s a difficult time of year for us.

“We’ve had delays before within the system. It’s been delayed three times,” he added.

“We’ve been told by the judge yesterday that expect a delay again, however, this time we don’t know how long to expect the delay for.

“It seems to be indefinite, so we’re just sort of left in limbo, and up in the air, and don’t know what’s happening.”

He said that his family feel “left in the lurch” and described the experience like being in “purgatory”.

“It just seems a never-ending process,” Mr McNally added.

Mr McNally described the criminal justice system as “a mess” for families who were experiencing delays.

“Regards to grief, I think it’s very hard to move on until justice is done,” he said.

“We’re still left in that limbo, waiting for answers, and it’s extremely difficult. The fact that it’s been delayed again it’s very upsetting.”

He said the sytem in Northern Ireland moves at a “glacial place” in comparison to other parts of the United Kingdom.

Sonya McMullan, from Women’s Aid, said that for survivors and families, the delay feels like “you are putting your life on hold”.

She said there was a “risk” that people will feel “I can’t do this. I’m going to stop this now”.

“Even before this strike occurred we had huge delays within our criminal justice system,” she said.

She added that “we need to invest now in the whole system” and said the system was “not trauma focused”.

“It’s not victim focused,” she said.