Natalie McNally suspect released on bail as Lurgan reels from second untimely death in days

MP for the area Carla Lockhart made the comment tonight in the wake of the death of Natalie McNally, aged 32.

She had died on Monday evening in a residential neighbourhood in the town.

A man in his 30s was arrested on suspicion of her murder, but has tonight been freed on police bail pending further enquiries.

Mrs Lockhart said she expects police forensics teams to hold the scene for another couple of days, in their quest to unravel exactly what happened.

She noted that it comes mere days after Lurgan man Odhran O’Neill, 22, died while on a trip to Thailand.

He had been kayaking, and his family announced on Saturday he had gone missing.

The next day, they revealed his body had been found.

Ms McNally died in Silverwood Green, a tight-knit residential close made up largely of townhouses, on the northern outskirts of the town.

The PSNI said officers attended a property there alongside paramedics at about 10pm on Monday night, after receiving “a report” (they did not say of what).

She was pronounced dead at the scene.

The PSNI added that detectives are keen to establish her movements between 4pm on Sunday and 10pm on Monday night.

Ms Lockhart said: “This news has shocked the entire community. "The PSNI will continue to carry out their investigations into what exactly has happened here.

"In such circumstances it is important that truth and justice prevail.”

SDLP councillor Declan McAlinden knows her family, and said they were “well-known and highly-respected”, adding: “The loss of a young life in any circumstances is devastating, but it is particularly hard at this time of year when families will be coming together to celebrate the festive season.

"This is the second tragedy to hit our community in the past few days with the death of Odhran O’Neill in Thailand and my thoughts are also with his loved ones.”

According to the Belfast Telegraph, Ms McNally had done an interview with the paper in 2020 about the difficulty in obtaining an insulin pump (she suffered from Type 1 diabetes), and the underfunded state of healthcare generally.

Mr O’Neill is thought to have capsized while kayaking on a lake.

On Saturday afternoon, his sister Michaela posted an alert on Facebook, saying: “My brother Odhran O’Neill is missing in Khao Sok National Park.

"He was last seen kayaking in the lake when his kayak tipped over. He is alone with no phone or wallet.”

On Sunday morning, Michaela posted a further message: “Odhran’s body has been found. Odhran’s life has been cut short and far too early.

“He was out seeing the world and living his best life as what we all have wanted for him. He will be remembered as a strong, charming and all around the best boy.

"Thank you to everyone has shared and we appreciate all the effort but he is now with the angels. I love you forever big bro. Forever in my heart.”

The Clann Eireann GAA club had also posted a message on Saturday, asking anyone who could be of assistance to contact the O’Neill family.

“However, in an update on Sunday morning, the club said: “Unfortunately, it is not the outcome we had all hoped and prayed for.

"Odhrán’s body has been found this morning. Thank you to everyone who assisted the search efforts by sharing.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the O’Neill, O’Dowd and McVeigh families at this very difficult time.”

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