New search underway on Wexford land in Fiona Sinnott murder investigation
Ms Sinnott was just 19 when she disappeared from Broadway, Co. Wexford on February 8, 1998.
The mother-of-one from Ballyhitt, Broadway was last seen leaving Butler's Pub in Broadway at around midnight, having spent the evening socialising with friends.
Gardaí investigating her disappearance and murder have begun a search operation today on open ground at a location in Co. Wexford.
Fiona Sinnott was 19 when she disappeared from Broadway, Co. Wexford
'This area of land will be searched and subject to excavation, technical and forensic examinations over the coming days,' the police force said in a statement.
Road closures will be in place, and local diversions will be in operation, they have confirmed.
Gardaí in the Wexford/Wicklow Garda Division have continued to investigate the Irish woman's murder over the last 27 years.
During that time the investigation team has discovered and collated thousands of documents/reports, taken more than 500 statements of evidence and retained a number of exhibits.
Six people were arrested and detained in connection with the investigation although no one has ever been charged.
'On Sunday, February 8 1998, Fiona was socialising at Butler's Pub in Broadway, Co. Wexford with friends,' the police force said in a statement today.
'She left Butler's at approximately midnight. This was the last confirmed sighting of Fiona,' they add.
'A motorist saw a male and a female on the roadway near Kisha Cross, Broadway on that night, at around midnight.
'There were two males in their late teens or early twenties in close proximity.
'None of these four people have ever come forward and Gardaí are anxious to trace them or anyone who was in the vicinity who did not, or could not, come forward at the time.
'Investigating Gardaí continue to appeal to any person with any information in relation to the disappearance and murder of Fiona, who has not spoken to Gardaí, to please come forward and speak to our investigation team.
'Gardaí continue 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 Wexford Garda Station on 053 9165200, or any Garda Station.'
See More: Disappearance, Fiona Sinnott, Gardai, Murder, Wexford
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Independent
24 minutes ago
- Irish Independent
Ian Bailey's solicitor welcomes any breakthroughs from advanced DNA testing in Sophie Tuscan du Plantier case
A garda cold case team is awaiting a report on whether M Vac Systems, a US DNA collection expert which has been used in a number of murder cases in the US, could identify her killer, according to The Irish Times. Exhibits being tested include the flat rock and large cavity block found at the scene and Ms Toscan du Plantier's dressing gown, leggings, vest and boots. It is hoped that that any evidence obtained will allow Forensic Science Ireland to make comparisons with DNA samples from some 10 people identified as suspects during the original Garda investigation. Speaking to RTÉ's This Week, solicitor Frank Buttimer said his former client had 'voluntarily provided DNA to establish his innocence' many years ago. He described it as 'extraordinary' and 'worrying' that any alleged link or connection could be proposed given the passage of time and the fact the late Mr Bailey is 'not around to defend his name'. Asked whether the information should be made public in the event Mr Bailey's DNA is found at the scene, Mr Buttimer said: 'I'm sure that in certain quarters there would be a rush to provide such information. "Because in my belief, and certainly in my experience, that within certain sections of the police, there is still this ongoing belief that there is some kind of a link or connection between Mr Bailey and the crime that he has denied throughout his life from the time onwards that it happened, but I suspect that that would certainly emerge into the public domain for one reason or another. He said there has 'always been a rush to put Mr Bailey's name out there as being connected with this offence in certain quarters'. Mr Buttimer said there would be legal implications in the event that a suspect is identified. "Insofar as Ian Bailey is concerned, we have this thing in Irish law called the presumption of innocence. Ian Bailey is presumed innocent by the State of Ireland,' he said. ADVERTISEMENT "He was never prosecuted, as we know, a completely spurious case was taken against him in France, where he was found guilty, but that was a predictable event. "Were it to be the case that DNA points the finger in some other quarter, perhaps the French who were so vigorous in their pursuit of him might take time to reflect upon what happened to Ian Bailey during the course of his life." He said Mr Bailey was 'always hounded and pursued over the 27 or 28 years from the time of that dreadful crime to the time of his death, it destroyed his life.' Asked whether the DNA testing could provide a breakthrough in the case, Mr Buttimer said his understanding is that the technology has not been tested in the Irish courts. "The one thing that would be of concern to me would have been the idea that he's just not around to defend himself, if there was any suggestion of any connection between him and the sampling.' He said DNA evidence can be 'challenged' in certain circumstance and it is 'not the be all and end all of criminal investigation and forensic assessment'. "I would absolutely say that every avenue should be pursued of any inquiry that's available to get to the truth of this appalling crime,' he added. "It's a stain on on us, really, and it's a stain on our policing and our system. And if anything can be done, even at this late stage, I would absolutely welcome that.'
Sunday World
2 hours ago
- Sunday World
Indian community celebrates independence day in Dublin
The free event at Merrion Square came despite a separate celebration being called off following concern over recent attacks on the Indian community Hundreds of people have participated in an event marking India Day in Dublin, as gardai and the Government sought to assure the community it was taking action against racially motivated crime. The free event at Merrion Square came despite a separate celebration being called off following concern over recent attacks on the Indian community. Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan has expressed concern over 'totally unacceptable' attacks on the Indian community, adding that the majority appear to have been carried out by young people. Mr O'Callaghan said he engaged extensively with the Garda commissioner on the matter, and senior investigating officers had been assigned to investigate all reported incidents. Event organizer Sanjeeb Barik with a statue of the Indian deity Jagannath as people attend the India Day Festival at Merrion Square Park, Dublin (Niall Carson/PA) Sunday's celebration, organised for India's 79th independence day, featured music, dance, food stalls, exhibition stands and a range of cultural activities. Sanjeeb Barik, the secretary of organising group the Federation of Indian Communities in Ireland, said the event had gone well amid 'fantastic and beautiful weather'. 'Lots of people are here, there's food and dancing and lots of fun.' Asked about the engagement with Government and gardai, Mr Barik said the event had received 'good support'. Speaking to the PA news agency, he said: 'Naturally, because there has been so many incidents there was some concern. 'We have been actively discussing with ministers, junior ministers and the Minister of Justice and they have all assured us that appropriate safety measures would be in place – and they are. 'We're working very closely to make sure everyone would be safe and, importantly, that it would be enjoyable for everyone.' Mr Barik said they wanted to go ahead with the celebrations to send a message about the importance of standing together. 'It has been a challenging time but the main thing is to come together as a community and celebrate our heritage 'There are people from all backgrounds here – Indian, Irish and others – from all over the the island. 'It is about the strength of bonding and sowing the richness of India and Ireland's multicultural spirit.' From left, Areet Kaur Chandi, seven, Japleen Kaur, 10, and Preety Singh, eight, join the festivities for India Day in Dublin (Niall Carson/PA) He added: 'We are saying come together, stand together. Celebrate unity and diversity – and I hope that will continue.' Inspector Ciaran Nunan from the Garda diversity unit said hate crimes are attacks on the whole community. 'The mission statement of An Garda Siochana is keeping people safe, and this refers to individuals, families, communities and society as a whole. 'It also now includes hate crime. Hate crime is not just an attack on a person, it's an attack on the community. 'An Garda Siochana is very aware of the impact that hate crime has upon individuals and communities, and we take it very, very seriously. 'Since our last India Day celebration last year, we now have hate crime legislation in force and we're applying that legislation at every opportunity – but we need people to report incidents of hate crime to us so that we can then take them on board and react to those.' Entertainment was part of the festivities in Merrion Square Park (Niall Carson/PA) He added: 'So I would encourage everybody or anybody that perceives to be a victim of a hate crime to please report it to An Garda Siochana, and allow us to continue what we're doing and work with our communities to keep people safe. 'The Dublin event was attended by Akhilesh Mishra, ambassador of India to Ireland, and Minister of State Emer Higgins. The Ireland India Council, a separate group, said there had been an organised social media campaign against the Indian community in the country and the number of violent attacks has intensified since January. Last week, it said it took the 'difficult' decision to postpone its planned event at Farmleigh House over concerns for the safety of the community. People celebrating at the India Day Festival at Merrion Square Park, Dublin. Photo: Niall Carson/PA Today's News in 90 Seconds - 17 August
Irish Examiner
3 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Indian community celebrates independence day in Dublin
Hundreds of people have participated in an event marking India Day in Dublin, as gardai and the Government sought to assure the community it was taking action against racially motivated crime. The free event at Merrion Square came despite a separate celebration being called off following concern over recent attacks on the Indian community. Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan has expressed concern over 'totally unacceptable' attacks on the Indian community, adding that the majority appear to have been carried out by young people. Mr O'Callaghan said he engaged extensively with the Garda commissioner on the matter, and senior investigating officers had been assigned to investigate all reported incidents. Event organizer Sanjeeb Barik with a statue of the Indian deity Jagannath as people attend the India Day Festival at Merrion Square Park, Dublin (Niall Carson/PA) Sunday's celebration, organised for India's 79th independence day, featured music, dance, food stalls, exhibition stands and a range of cultural activities. Sanjeeb Barik, the secretary of organising group the Federation of Indian Communities in Ireland, said the event had gone well amid 'fantastic and beautiful weather'. 'Lots of people are here, there's food and dancing and lots of fun.' Asked about the engagement with Government and gardai, Mr Barik said the event had received 'good support'. It has been a challenging time but the main thing is to come together as a community and celebrate our heritage Speaking to the PA news agency, he said: 'Naturally, because there has been so many incidents there was some concern. 'We have been actively discussing with ministers, junior ministers and the Minister of Justice and they have all assured us that appropriate safety measures would be in place – and they are. 'We're working very closely to make sure everyone would be safe and, importantly, that it would be enjoyable for everyone.' Mr Barik said they wanted to go ahead with the celebrations to send a message about the importance of standing together. 'It has been a challenging time but the main thing is to come together as a community and celebrate our heritage 'There are people from all backgrounds here – Indian, Irish and others – from all over the the island. 'It is about the strength of bonding and sowing the richness of India and Ireland's multicultural spirit.' From left, Areet Kaur Chandi, seven, Japleen Kaur, 10, and Preety Singh, eight, join the festivities for India Day in Dublin (Niall Carson/PA) He added: 'We are saying come together, stand together. Celebrate unity and diversity – and I hope that will continue.' Inspector Ciaran Nunan from the Garda diversity unit said hate crimes are attacks on the whole community. 'The mission statement of An Garda Siochana is keeping people safe, and this refers to individuals, families, communities and society as a whole. 'It also now includes hate crime. Hate crime is not just an attack on a person, it's an attack on the community. 'An Garda Siochana is very aware of the impact that hate crime has upon individuals and communities, and we take it very, very seriously. 'Since our last India Day celebration last year, we now have hate crime legislation in force and we're applying that legislation at every opportunity – but we need people to report incidents of hate crime to us so that we can then take them on board and react to those.' Entertainment was part of the festivities in Merrion Square Park (Niall Carson/PA) He added: 'So I would encourage everybody or anybody that perceives to be a victim of a hate crime to please report it to An Garda Siochana, and allow us to continue what we're doing and work with our communities to keep people safe.'The Dublin event was attended by Akhilesh Mishra, ambassador of India to Ireland, and Minister of State Emer Higgins. The Ireland India Council, a separate group, said there had been an organised social media campaign against the Indian community in the country and the number of violent attacks has intensified since January. Last week, it said it took the 'difficult' decision to postpone its planned event at Farmleigh House over concerns for the safety of the community.
