US EditionPublished • loading... • Updated
Natalie McNally: Family Say Potential Delay in Trial Is 'Kick in the Teeth'
Criminal barristers in Northern Ireland plan a full withdrawal from Crown Court cases over legal aid fee disputes, risking delays in trials like Natalie McNally's, three years after her death.
- On January 26 the trial is listed to start at Belfast Crown Court, but Mr Justice Kinney warned it may not proceed next month due to criminal barristers withdrawing from cases from January 5.
- Criminal barristers voted to withdraw from Crown Court cases following a legal aid fees dispute, with the Criminal Bar Association saying the Department of Justice failed to provide reasonable remuneration.
- Declan McNally said the family have been retraumatised, facing three delays over three years with Natalie McNally, 32, 15 weeks pregnant, killed, while Stephen McCullagh, 35, denies charges.
- A Bar Council spokesperson said on Monday that the Criminal Bar Association `has not taken the decision to increase its withdrawal of services lightly` and regretted the profound impact on victims, defendants and witnesses, while Justice Minister Naomi Long said she was 'disappointed and frustrated'.
- Observers note Northern Ireland's system moves more slowly than England's, retraumatising families and survivors, while campaigners warn delays risk deterring participation in the justice process.
Insights by Ground AI
16 Articles
16 Articles
Family say potential delay in trial is 'kick in the teeth'
Catherine Doyle News NI McNally family Natalie McNally was 15 weeks pregnant when she was killed in her home in December 2022 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 …
Judge says Natalie McNally murder trial may not go ahead next month due to barrister strike
The family of Lurgan woman Natalie McNally were today told to "be prepared" that a trial into her murder may not go ahead next month due to industrial action taken by criminal barristers.
·Belfast, United Kingdom
Read Full ArticleCoverage Details
Total News Sources16
Leaning Left7Leaning Right0Center6Last UpdatedBias Distribution54% Left
Bias Distribution
- 54% of the sources lean Left
54% Left
L 54%
C 46%
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
