A FACEBOOK executive has assured parents and teachers it tries to “resolve as quickly as possible” instances of cyber-bullying.

Cormac Keenan is manager of user operations at the social network’s European headquarters in Dublin and heads a team of almost 100 people who manage one million reports of abuse from users every week.

Mr Keenan was asked about the recent case at Colaiste Chiarain in Croom where 28 pupils were suspended for “liking” an image which caused offence to a teacher. Principal Noel Malone expressed his exasperation that Facebook had refused requests to take the image down as it did not violate its standards.

Mr Keenan said he was “not sure of the specific case”, which attracted widespread national publicity in May.

But all cyber-bullying complaints were prioritised, Mr Keenan said.

He was speaking at a Forum on Cyber-Bullying at the Kilmurry Lodge Hotel organised by Sean Kelly MEP.