Fiona Pender case: Searches conclude as gardaí continue to appeal for information

Gardaí investigating the disappearance of Fiona Pender in August 1996 searching open grounds at Graigue, Killeigh, Co Offaly, on Monday afternoon. Picture: Stephen Collins/Collins Photos

Gardaí investigating the disappearance and murder of Fiona Pender have concluded a search operation at a location in Co Offaly.

Ms Pender went missing on August 23, 1996, and was last seen at her apartment on Church Street, Tullamore, by her partner John Thompson. She was 25 years old and seven months pregnant at the time she went missing. 

Despite a series of extensive searches in the years since, more than 300 statements and the arrest — in April 1997 — of five people, no trace of remains have yet been found.

Ms Pender's mother, Josephine, who campaigned on her case, died in September 2017. Her husband, and Fiona’s father, Seán, died by suicide in 2000.

On Monday, An Garda Síochána confirmed it had formally upgraded the missing person case to a murder investigation "based on the entirety of the information available to the investigation team".

Thereafter, fresh searches began on lands at Graigue in Killeigh, a short distance from Tullamore.

The search operation, which involved land excavation and forensic and technical examinations, concluded on Tuesday afternoon.

Gardaí said the results of the searches are not being released for operational reasons. Ms Pender's family have been updated on the latest developments in the case. 

Garda appeal

Investigating gardaí continue to appeal to any person with any information in relation to the disappearance of Ms Pender to come forward. 

A Garda spokesperson said the force continues to appeal "to any person who may have previously come forward who felt they could not provide gardaí with all the information they had in relation to this matter, to contact the investigation team again".

"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."