Facebook shuts down Meagher suspect pages

3 Oct 2012, 3:19 pm   -   Source: AAP
Facebook has removed several hate sites targeting the man accused of killing Jill Meagher. (AAP)

Facebook has removed several hate sites targeting the man accused of killing Jill Meagher. (AAP)

Facebook has finally agreed to shut down several hate sites aimed at the suspect accused of killing Irish-born ABC radio staffer Jill Meagher.

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Social-media giant Facebook has finally removed several hate pages targeting the 41-year-old Melbourne man accused of raping and killing ABC radio employee Jill Meagher.

Police say the sites were removed by the US-based company after days of repeated requests from Victorian authorities.

"A number of sites have been taken down on our request, and we thank Facebook for that," a police spokeswoman told AAP on Wednesday.

Victoria Police had earlier feared vile content posted on six Facebook pages could jeopardise the man's right to a fair trial.

One site had more than 44,000 likes and included posts that incited violence and shared details about the man's background.

But Facebook failed to quickly act on those police concerns.

"We've all got a social responsibility and Facebook is part of our community, and I would've thought it would only have been reasonable," Chief Commissioner Ken Lay had said earlier this week.

Facebook could not be reached for an immediate comment on Wednesday, but has previously said it was committed to removing or restricting content that violated the company's policies or the law.

More than a half-dozen other Facebook hate pages are still online, however, though each page has only attracted a few hundred likes.

The development comes as the Irish-born family of Ms Meagher prepares for her private funeral in Melbourne on Friday.

In a written statement, the 29-year-old's parents, George and Edith McKeon, along with her brother Michael McKeon, said they would remember her smile and love of frisbee.

"Each night when the world is quiet and still, your smile and the wonderful moments we have shared will crowd our minds and we will find missing you even harder," the statement said.

"Though we can't be together for now, in our thoughts and memories you will be here with us.

"Looking ahead to that time when we can be with you again and play frisbee."

Ms Meagher was attacked while walking home from a nearby inner-city Brunswick bar in the early hours of Saturday, September 22, and her body was later found in a shallow grave more than 50km away.

Her death inspired thousands to participate in a peace march, create makeshift memorials, and shower locations linked to the case with flowers.

Residents in her hometown of Drogheda, Ireland, will attend a mass to celebrate her life on Friday.

Adrian Ernest Bayley, 41, of Coburg, is being held in custody on a rape and murder charge for a committal mention on January 18.

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