Laois road to remain closed overnight as Gardaí search for missing Offaly woman Fiona Pender

Gardaí say a dig for murdered Offaly woman Fiona Pender will continue overnight in the Slieve Bloom Mountains. 

Gardaí investigating say they are searching on open ground at a location near Clonaslee. This search operation will remain ongoing overnight and Gardaí have closed a local road to facilitate the dig. 

This is the second search in recent days and follows the conclusion of a dig on land at Graigue, Killeigh, Co Offaly on Tuesday evening.

The latest search is taking place near Clonaslee, not far from the location of a 2014 search for Fiona Pender’s remains at Capard, Rosenallis. 

Gardaí say the area of land will be searched and subject to excavation, technical and forensic examinations. 

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.

Fiona’s remains have never been located.

No person has been brought to justice for the disappearance and murder of Fiona at this time.

The investigation continues to be led by a Senior Investigating Officer.

Fiona was last seen at approximately 6am on the morning of Friday, August 23, 1996 when she was at her flat on Church Street, Tullamore.

Fiona was described as being 5'5" in height, with long blonde hair. She was 25 years of age at the time she went missing. Fiona was wearing bright coloured clothing and white leggings. She was seven months pregnant at the time of her disappearance.

Investigating Gardaí continue to appeal to any person with any information in relation to the disappearance of Fiona in the early morning of Friday, August 23, 1996, 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.

Gardaí said that in order to facilitate this, the Ross Road at Clonaslee, 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. The Irish Aviation Authority(IAA) has imposed flight restrictions around the area where the search is being conducted. 

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 057 932 7600, or any Garda Station. Anyone who wishes to provide information confidentially should contact the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.