Gardaí to begin fresh dig for remains of missing Fiona Pender

A search for missing woman Fiona Pender is to begin in County Laois after gardaí revealed there had been a major breakthrough in the case.

Ms Pender, who was 25 and pregnant at the time of her disappearance, went missing from her flat on Church Street in Tullamore on August 22, 1986, and has not been seen since.

Gardaí have now said that a search will get under way at a site in County Laois and the media have been invited to visit the location on Friday. The search comes following major developments in the case, which follows a full review of the case carried out over the past year.

A man, now in his 40s, had been identified by gardaí as a suspect at the time of Ms Pender’s disappearance, but he was never charged. He later moved overseas, where in recent times his relationship with an Irish woman broke down amid allegations that he had made serious threats against her.

The man has been charged in that country and is currently on bail, while the woman has been in protective custody — during which time she was also interviewed by gardaí.

A media briefing will take place on Friday at noon, with gardaí then allowing video footage and photographs to be taken of the search site, which has not yet been identified.

Gardaí are expected to add further detail as to the nature of the developments in the case. Ms Pender’s family have been fully notified.

It is understood the area is one of woodland outside Portlaoise, and a location where the suspect is believed to have brought his most recent partner and where he is said to have threatened her.

Forensic garda personnel, including an archaeologist, will be involved in the search, as will specially-trained search dogs. Gardaí believe Ms Pender was killed by somebody known to her and her remains hidden. There have been five arrests in Ireland in the case, but no evidence has, thus far, emerged on which to base criminal charges.