Homicide detectives take over case of Irishwoman missing in Melbourne

Homicide detectives have taken over the investigation into the disappearance of an Irishwoman in Australia, police have said.

Jillian (Jill) Meagher, 29, from Drogheda, Co Louth, was last seen in the early hours of Saturday after a night out with colleagues in Melbourne.

Her disappearance has sparked a huge social media campaign to find her. A number of women have used a Facebook page to highlight scares they had this year in the area where she disappeared, including an incident in which a man allegedly tried to pull a woman into a car.

Her husband raised the alarm when she did not arrive at their home — less than a mile from Bar Etiquette in Sydney Road Brunswick — which she left at about 1.30am.

Det Insp John Potter, of Victoria Police, said the circumstances of the case were worrying.

“We’re hopeful for the best, obviously, but we have some concerns that she may have met with foul play,” he added.

Police revealed a handbag believed to belong to Ms Meagher was found in a laneway off Hope St yesterday. A crime scene has been cordoned off and officers are continuing to investigate.

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

Police have been told she left the bar with the intention of walking home and are concerned over her disappearance, which is out of character.

She was reported missing on Saturday morning by her husband Thomas, from Cabinteely in Dublin, who has said he had been “freaking out” since she vanished.

“It’s devastating. I am just trying to push on... as much as possible. Hope is keeping me going; hope that somebody saw something or she will walk through the door.”

Ms Meagher’s bank card has not been used and her mobile phone has been switched off.

Detectives are seeking CCTV footage to help them in their inquiries, but the bar where she was last seen did not have cameras.