Fiona Pender: Search begins on Offaly land as case upgraded to murder

Gardaí investigating the disappearance of Fiona Pender almost 30 years ago have begun a search operation on open ground at a location in Co Offaly, as they confirmed the case has been upgraded to murder.

Officers said the land will be searched and subject to excavation, technical and forensic examinations over the coming days.

Ms Pender was last seen at approximately 6am on the morning of Friday, August 23rd, 1996, when she was at her flat on Church Street, Tullamore.

She was described as being 5'5" in height, with long blonde hair. She was 25 years old at the time she went missing.

Ms Pender was wearing bright coloured clothing and white leggings. She was also seven months pregnant at the time of her disappearance.

Her remains have never been located, and no person has been brought to justice for her murder.

In a statement on Monday, gardaí said they had carried out a sustained investigation over the last 28 years to try and establish Fiona’s whereabouts and to investigate the circumstances in which Fiona disappeared.

They said thousands of documents and reports have been collected, 300 statements of evidence and retained a number of exhibits.

Extensive searches have been carried out, and five people were arrested and detained in connection with the investigation.

A fresh appeal for information has been issued to anyone with any information to come forward and speak to the investigation team.

“Gardaí continue to appeal to any person who may have previously come forward who felt they could not provide Gardai with all the information they had in relation to this matter, to contact the investigation team again,” it said.

“An Garda Síochána appeals to anyone with any information, no matter how small or insignificant you might believe it to be, to contact Tullamore Garda Station on 057 932 7600, or any Garda Station.

“Anyone who wishes to provide information confidentially should contact the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.”