New probe into Fiona Pender's disappearance

A former colleague of Josephine Pender's brother has been assigned to look into the case of her missing daughter Fiona. Fiona Pender disappeared from her flat at Church Street in Tullamore on August 22, 1996. At the time the 25-year-old was seven months pregnant. Speaking to the Offaly Independent this week Fiona's mother Josephine said Detective Superintendent Dominic Hayes - a former colleague of her own brother Garda Sean Camon - was assigned to the case following a letter she wrote to Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan. "One of the detectives that was dealing with Fiona's case was retiring," Josephine explained this week. "We were looking for something to be done and he advised me to write to the Commissioner. "I wrote him a nice letter asking him to open the case," she continued, adding that she received a reply just over a month ago. "He said he'd get this detective to look into it again and see what could be done," she said. Josephine is now encouraging anyone who may be able to shed some light on what happened to her daughter to "come forward and say what they know". Meanwhile Fiona Pender's birthday - July 13 - is being marked on July 15 next with a walk from the Bridge Centre car park at 3pm. Josephine said the walk has been dubbed "Route 16" as Fiona has been missing now for 16 years. Walkers will make their way from the Bridge Centre car park down High Street before turning right onto Church Street and stopping for a minute outside where Fiona lived. They will then continue up Henry Street before turning left onto Harbour Street and right onto William Street, concluding the remembrance walk just past the Kilbeggan Bridge where a marquee will be set up. Josephine said the group plans to release pink balloons for Fiona, and one small white balloon for her unborn child, while Fr Shane Crombie will say a few prayers. Josephine has invited anyone wishing to remember Fiona to join in the walk and prayers on the day.