24/09/2012

Homicide Squad Take Over Investigation Of Missing Irish Woman

The investigation into the disappearance of an Irish woman in Australia has now been assigned to the homicide squad, police have confirmed.

Jill Meagher, from Drogheda, Co Louth, was last seen in the early hours of Saturday after a night out with colleagues in Melbourne.

The 29-year-old’s husband raised the alarm when she did not arrive at their home 1km from Bar Etiquette in Sydney Road, Brunswick, which she left at around 1.30am.

Det Insp John Potter, of Victoria Police, said the circumstances of the case are worrying. “We’re hopeful for the best, obviously, but we have some concerns that she may have met with foul play,” he said.

Police revealed that a handbag containing several items believed to belong to Mrs Meagher was found on Monday morning in a laneway off Hope Street. Her bank card has not been used and her mobile phone has been switched off.

A crime scene has been cordoned off and officers are continuing to search the local area and speak to residents.

Mrs Meagher had been out with colleagues from Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) radio.

(H)


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05 October 2012
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Melbourne Police Release CCTV Footage Of Missing Irish Woman
CCTV footage of missing Irish woman Jill Meagher has been released by police in Melbourne. The footage shows her talking to a man shortly before she was last seen early on Saturday morning. Ms Meagher, 29, disappeared after socialising with work colleagues at a bar in the suburb of Brunswick, not far from her home.
05 April 2013
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A man has pleaded guilty to the murder of Irish woman Jill Meagher in Melbourne last September. Adrian Earnest Bayley, 41, appeared at the Supreme Court of Victoria in Melbourne this morning and has been remanded in custody. Last month he also pleaded guilty to raping a journalist, who was originally from Drogheda.