Man accused of Jill Meagher murder will contest charges
The man accused of the rape and murder of Drogheda native Jill Meagher in Melbourne Australia - will contest the charges.
Adrian Ernest Bayley (aged 41) has appeared in Melbourne Magistrates' Court via video link for a short committal mention.
He is charged with raping and murdering Ms Meagher in Brunswick on September 22 last year.
Jill Meagher, 22, disappeared while walking home from a night out with friends in the Brunswick area of Melbourne on September 22 last year.
Her body was discovered several days later in a shallow grave at the side of a dirt road outside of the city.
Australian news website news.com.au reports that he sat mute for most of the 10-minute hearing.
A defence application to have an existing suppression order extended was granted - banning the publication of any damaging or potentially prejudicial material about Mr Bayley, particularly on social media sites.
No application for bail was made and the accused was remanded in custody until a two-day committal hearing begins on March 12.
