Family of Jill Meagher to fundraise in her memory

Relatives and and friends of murdered Drogheda woman Jill Meagher are to take part in a fundraising run for the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre (RCC).

Earlier this month, an Australian man pleaded guilty to raping and murdering Ms Meagher in Melbourne last September. Now her family in Ireland has decided to support the work done by the Dublin rape crisis centre and centres around the country by fundraising around the women’s mini-marathon.

“If such a crime happened to one of her friends Jill would be doing this with us. We also want people to feel they can come and join with us on the day,” said her aunt Catherine McKeon Halpin.

She said rape was a crime that women and their families often did not or could not speak about. Joining her will be two other aunts of Ms Meagher, her three cousins from Drogheda, her sister-in-law Katrina Meagher and many friends.

“We want to support the work done by the rape crisis centres in Dublin and around the country and we know they help all victims of sexual abuse, not just rape victims,” said Jill’s aunt Helen McKeon.

Ellen O’Malley Dunlop, chief executive of the Dublin Rape crisis Centre said it was grateful to the family and friends of Ms Meagher.

“They have suffered huge grief in the loss of their beautiful daughter, sister and friend. We want to thank them most sincerely for thinking of us and for supporting the services of the centre, whose aim is to prevent and heal the trauma of rape and sexual abuse.”

Anyone who wants to sponsor the family can do so at www.mycharity.ie/event/ jillsminimarathon