Gardai renew appeal for information ahead of 30-year Fiona Pender anniversary
Gardai have renewed their appeal for information from the public ahead of this weekend's 30-year anniversary of the disappearance and murder of Fiona Pender in Tullamore.
This Sunday, August 23, marks three decades since the 25-year-old, who was seven months pregnant at the time, was last seen in her flat on Tullamore's Church Street.
Fiona was described as being 5’ 5” in height and she had long, blonde hair. When last seen, she was wearing bright-coloured clothing and white leggings.
A statement from the Garda press office today (Friday) said officers in the Laois Offaly division have carried out a sustained investigation into the case since 1996, and that this investigation continues to be led by a senior investigating officer.
"Significant enquiries have been carried out in order to establish Fiona’s whereabouts and to investigate the circumstances of her disappearance and murder," said the Garda statement.
"During this period, the investigation team have discovered and collated thousands of documents and reports, taken over 300 statements of evidence and retained a number of exhibits.
"Five people were arrested and detained in connection with this investigation. And extensive searches have been carried out.
"Fiona’s body has never been located. At this time, no person has been brought to justice for the disappearance and murder of Fiona.
"An Garda Síochána is appealing to anyone that met or saw Fiona in the early morning of Friday, August 23, 1996, and to anyone who has any information in relation to Fiona’s disappearance and murder 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 Tullamore Garda Station on (057) 9327600, or any Garda Station.
"Anyone who wishes to provide information confidentially should contact the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111," it concluded.