Latest news with #Pender
Sunday World
6 days ago
- Sunday World
Gardaí to continue Fiona Pender search into the night as they announce road closure
Ms Pender was and seven months pregnant when she went missing from her flat on Church Street, Tullamore, in August 1996. Missing Fiona Pender and the scene of the search Gardaí searching a second location in relation to the 1996 disappearance and presumed murder of Fiona Pender have announced the search will continue into the night. In order to facilitate this, the Ross Road at Clonaslee, Co Laois, will remain closed from the R422 entrance to the R440 entrance. 'No through traffic will be allowed onto this road until further notice, with local access available to residents via the R422 entrance only,' a garda spokesperson said. The scene of the search. Photo: Padraig O'Reilly 'This search forms part of a sustained investigation carried out by Gardaí in Laois/ Offaly Garda Division over the last 28-years to establish Fiona's whereabouts and to investigate the circumstances in which Fiona disappeared.' The search of a remote area of bogland in rural Co Offaly in relation to the disappearance of Ms Pender (25) ended on Tuesday as gardaí hoped for a breakthrough in the nearly 29-year investigation. Missing Fiona Pender and the scene of the search News in 90 Seconds - May 28th In a statement on Wednesday, the force said that after searches in Co Offaly earlier this week, they were now searching in another area over the border in Co Laois. "Gardaí investigating the disappearance and murder of Fiona Pender in August 1996 have today, Wednesday 28th May 2025, commenced another search operation on open ground at a location in Co. Laois. This area of land will be searched and subject to excavation, technical and forensic examinations,' the force said. 'This search forms part of a sustained investigation carried out by Gardaí in Laois/ Offaly Garda Division over the last 28-years to establish Fiona's whereabouts and to investigate the circumstances in which Fiona disappeared.' The search of a remote area of bogland in rural Co Offaly in relation to the disappearance of Ms Pender (25) ended on Tuesday as gardaí hoped for a breakthrough in the nearly 29-year investigation. Ms Pender was and seven months pregnant when she went missing from her flat on Church Street, Tullamore, in August 1996. Gardaí announced on Monday that an area of land at Graigue, close to the village of Killeigh, around 8km from Tullamore, would be searched as the investigation into Ms Pender's disappearance was upgraded to one of murder. The examination of the land finished yesterday afternoon. It is understood gardaí received new information deemed credible enough to warrant the latest search and the upgrading of the investigation. Fiona Pender has been missing since 1996 The land being searched was in a remote bog overgrown with trees and vegetation, accessible only by potholed dirt roads. A cordon was placed on the access tracks, and a no-fly zone was established above the dig site to prevent drone use while the search took place. In an update on Tuesday afternoon, gardaí said: 'Gardaí investigating the disappearance and murder of Fiona Pender have concluded the search operation on open ground at a location in Co Offaly. 'The results of the searches are not being released for operational reasons. An Garda Síochána have updated the family on any developments. Investigations are ongoing.' Local people said they hoped the search would yield something that might bring some closure to the Pender family and that Tullamore, and the surrounding townlands had been living under a cloud since Ms Pender disappeared. Sinn Féin councillor Aoife Masterson, who was eight years old when Ms Pender was reported missing, said the event had shaped her life and the lives of women in the town. Gardaí search for the remains of missing Fiona Pender. Photo: Frank McGrath 'I grew up hearing prayers being said for her at mass. I remember the posters in shops and on poles fading as the years passed and falling off,' she said. 'And then in 2022 there was the murder of Ashling Murphy along the canal, not far from where the monument to Fiona stands on the canal bank. There really is an issue with violence against women in Tullamore and in wider Ireland. It's just shocking. 'Some things shape who you are as a young woman, and Fiona's disappearance has left its mark on the town. It's appalling. 'It has really stayed with me and I've devoted my life to those who aren't heard or whose voices have been silenced. 'Now that the investigation has been upgraded to murder, maybe there will be more resources put into it that might move things along, or that might encourage someone to come forward with information. 'There is the hope that whatever information gardaí are working from is significant and can bring answers. 'In relation to searches for Fiona, we've been here several times before in that we are waiting for answers. If we get answers, it won't be without pain. It is heartbreaking.'
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Second dig to begin in search for missing woman
Detectives investigating the disappearance of a woman who went missing in the Republic of Ireland almost 30 years ago have begun a search at a second location. Twenty-five-year-old Fiona Pender was seven months pregnant when she disappeared in Tullamore, County Offaly in 1996. Earlier this week, gardaí (Irish police) said they had reclassified their missing person investigation to a murder inquiry. Having completed a search of land in County Offaly on Tuesday, the search moved to the Slieve Bloom mountains in County Laois on Wednesday. The new site is a piece of open ground which will be "subject to excavation, technical and forensic examinations," a garda statement said. Ms Pender was last seen at about 06:00 local time 23 August 1996 at her flat on Church Street, Tullamore. She was 5'5" in height, had long blonde hair and was said to be looking forward to the birth of her child. She was wearing white leggings and bright coloured clothing when she went missing. The previous search, on open ground about 5km (3 miles) from Tullamore, began on Monday and ended on Tuesday evening. Irish broadcaster RTÉ reported that the operation was concentrated on bogland at Graigue, near the village of Killeigh. Gardaí said the results of the searches were "not being released for operational reasons" but added that they had kept Ms Pender's family updated. They repeated their 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". To date there have been no convictions in relation to Ms Pender's disappearance nor her suspected murder. However, over the course of the 28-year missing person investigation, five people have previously been arrested and detained. The investigation team have also taken more than 300 statements and "discovered and collated thousands of documents". Missing pregnant woman investigation upgraded to murder
Sunday World
6 days ago
- Sunday World
Gardaí search new location over 1996 murder of missing woman Fiona Pender
Ms Pender was and seven months pregnant when she went missing from her flat on Church Street, Tullamore, in August 1996. Missing Fiona Pender and the scene of the search Gardaí are searching a second location in relation to the 1996 disappearance and presumed murder of Fiona Pender. In a statement on Wednesday, the force said that after searches in Co Offaly earlier this week, they were now searching in another area over the border in Co Laois. "Gardaí investigating the disappearance and murder of Fiona Pender in August 1996 have today, Wednesday 28th May 2025, commenced another search operation on open ground at a location in Co. Laois. This area of land will be searched and subject to excavation, technical and forensic examinations,' the force said. The scene of the search. Photo: Padraig O'Reilly 'This search forms part of a sustained investigation carried out by Gardaí in Laois/ Offaly Garda Division over the last 28-years to establish Fiona's whereabouts and to investigate the circumstances in which Fiona disappeared.' The search of a remote area of bogland in rural Co Offaly in relation to the disappearance of Ms Pender (25) ended on Tuesday as gardaí hoped for a breakthrough in the nearly 29-year investigation. Missing Fiona Pender and the scene of the search News in 90 Seconds - May 28th Ms Pender was and seven months pregnant when she went missing from her flat on Church Street, Tullamore, in August 1996. Gardaí announced on Monday that an area of land at Graigue, close to the village of Killeigh, around 8km from Tullamore, would be searched as the investigation into Ms Pender's disappearance was upgraded to one of murder. The examination of the land finished yesterday afternoon. It is understood gardaí received new information deemed credible enough to warrant the latest search and the upgrading of the investigation. Fiona Pender has been missing since 1996 The land being searched was in a remote bog overgrown with trees and vegetation, accessible only by potholed dirt roads. A cordon was placed on the access tracks, and a no-fly zone was established above the dig site to prevent drone use while the search took place. In an update on Tuesday afternoon, gardaí said: 'Gardaí investigating the disappearance and murder of Fiona Pender have concluded the search operation on open ground at a location in Co Offaly. 'The results of the searches are not being released for operational reasons. An Garda Síochána have updated the family on any developments. Investigations are ongoing.' Local people said they hoped the search would yield something that might bring some closure to the Pender family and that Tullamore, and the surrounding townlands had been living under a cloud since Ms Pender disappeared. Sinn Féin councillor Aoife Masterson, who was eight years old when Ms Pender was reported missing, said the event had shaped her life and the lives of women in the town. Gardaí search for the remains of missing Fiona Pender. Photo: Frank McGrath 'I grew up hearing prayers being said for her at mass. I remember the posters in shops and on poles fading as the years passed and falling off,' she said. 'And then in 2022 there was the murder of Ashling Murphy along the canal, not far from where the monument to Fiona stands on the canal bank. There really is an issue with violence against women in Tullamore and in wider Ireland. It's just shocking. 'Some things shape who you are as a young woman, and Fiona's disappearance has left its mark on the town. It's appalling. 'It has really stayed with me and I've devoted my life to those who aren't heard or whose voices have been silenced. 'Now that the investigation has been upgraded to murder, maybe there will be more resources put into it that might move things along, or that might encourage someone to come forward with information. 'There is the hope that whatever information gardaí are working from is significant and can bring answers. 'In relation to searches for Fiona, we've been here several times before in that we are waiting for answers. If we get answers, it won't be without pain. It is heartbreaking.'
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Search for remains of missing pregnant woman ends
The search for the remains of a pregnant Irish woman in County Offaly has come to an end. Fiona Pender was last seen at about 06:00 on 23 August 1996 at her flat on Church Street, Tullamore. Gardaí (Irish police) say their investigation into the murder of the 25 year old is ongoing but the results of the searches are not being released for operational purposes. Ms Pender's family have been updated, police added. Since Monday morning gardaí searched a small remote area at Graigue, near Killeigh village, just off the main road between Tullamore and Portlaoise. The investigation has been reclassified as a murder investigation based on the entirety of the information available to investigators. Ms Pender went missing in a decade when a number of other young women also disappeared without trace in the same province of Leinster. But police sources have always indicated that they do not believe her disappearance was linked to any of the other cases. Over the last 28 years, gardaí have conducted significant inquiries and what they describe as a sustained investigation. Investigators say they have collated thousands of documents and reports, taken more than 300 statements of evidence and retained a number of exhibits. A number of extensive searches have also been carried out. According to police, five people have been arrested and detained in connection with this investigation. No one has been brought to justice for her disappearance. Ms Pender was described as 5'5" in height, with long blonde hair and she was wearing bright coloured clothing and white leggings when she went missing. At the time of her disappearance she was seven months pregnant. Gardaí has issued a fresh appeal for anyone who may have information about the case to come forward. They have also appealed to anyone who has previously come forward but felt at the time they could not provide police with all the information about Ms Pender's disappearance. Missing pregnant woman investigation upgraded to murder
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Yahoo
Missing woman investigation upgraded to murder
The disappearance of a pregnant Irish woman almost three decades ago has been upgraded to a murder Inquiry. A new search is also underway to try to find the remains of Fiona Pender, 25, who went missing in County Offaly. She was last seen at about 06:00 on 23 August 1996 at her flat on Church Street, Tullamore. Gardaí (Irish police) have now announced that their investigation into Ms Pender's murder has been reclassified as a murder investigation based on the entirety of the information available to investigators. A new search is also underway on open ground believed to be close to Killeigh in County Offaly. Gardaí say the area will be subjected to excavation, technical and forensic examinations over the coming days. Garda teams have conducted significant enquiries and what they describe as a sustained investigation over the last 28 years in an effort to establish what happened to Ms Pender. During this time, investigators say they have collated thousands of documents and reports, taken more than 300 statements of evidence and retained a number of exhibits. Extensive searches have been carried out and five people have been arrested and detained in connection with this investigation, according to Gardaí. Fiona Pender was described as 5'5" in height, with long blonde hair and she was wearing bright coloured clothing and white leggings when she went missing. She was seven months pregnant at the time of her disappearance. No one has been brought to justice for her disappearance. Gardaí have renewed their appeal to anyone who may have any information about the case and who has not contacted investigators to come forward. They have also appealed for help from anyone who may have previously come forward but felt at the time they could not provide Gardaí with all the information they had about the disappearance of Ms Pender. The young woman was said to be looking forward to the birth of her baby when she disappeared.
