Gardaí commence new search operation in ongoing investigation into 1996 murder of Fiona Pender in Tullamore
Fiona Pender, a 25-year-old woman who was seven months pregnant, was last seen at her flat on Church Street, Tullamore, Co. Laois at approximately 6am on Friday 23 August 1996. Her remains have never been located and no person has been brought to justice for her disappearance and murder. The Laois/Offaly Garda Division has been investigating the case for 28 years, led by a Senior Investigating Officer. On 28 May 2025, Gardaí commenced a new search operation on open ground in Co. Laois involving excavation, technical and forensic examinations, which concluded on 29 May 2025. The results of the searches are not being released for operational reasons, and the family has been updated on developments.
- Reported1 May
3 reports - Arrested
- Charged
- In court
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Fiona Pender, a 25-year-old woman who was seven months pregnant, disappeared in the early morning of 23 August 1996.
- Fiona was described as 5 feet 5 inches tall with long blonde hair, wearing bright coloured clothing and white leggings.
- Where
- She was last seen at approximately 6am at her flat on Church Street, Tullamore, Co. Laois.
- When
- The disappearance occurred in the early morning of Friday 23 August 1996.
- Investigation
- The Laois/Offaly Garda Division has been investigating the case for 28 years, led by a Senior Investigating Officer.
- On 28 May 2025, Gardaí commenced a search operation on open ground in Co. Laois involving excavation, technical and forensic examinations.
- The search operation concluded on 29 May 2025, with results withheld for operational reasons.
- Gardaí appealed to the public and to anyone who previously came forward to contact Tullamore Garda Station or the Garda Confidential Line with information.
- Other details
- No person has been brought to justice for the disappearance and murder, and Fiona's remains have never been located.
- Ross Road at Clonaslee, Co. Laois was closed from the R422 entrance to the R440 entrance to facilitate the search.
25 statements extracted from the articles
- whatThe area will be subject to excavation, technical and forensic examinations (garda.ie)
- whatFiona was 5 feet 5 inches tall with long blonde hair (garda.ie)
- whatFiona was 25 years old at the time she went missing (garda.ie)
- whatFiona was wearing bright coloured clothing and white leggings (garda.ie)
- whatFiona was 7 months pregnant at the time of her disappearance (garda.ie)
- whereFiona was last seen at her flat on Church Street, Tullamore (garda.ie)
- whereRoss Road at Clonaslee, Co. Laois is closed from the R422 entrance to the R440 entrance. (garda.ie)
- whenGardaí commenced a search operation on 28 May 2025 (garda.ie)
- whenFiona was last seen at approximately 6am on Friday 23 August 1996 (garda.ie)
- whenThe disappearance occurred in the early morning of Friday 23 August 1996 (garda.ie)
- investigationThe investigation has been ongoing for 28 years by the Laois/Offaly Garda Division (garda.ie)
- investigationThe investigation is led by a Senior Investigating Officer (garda.ie)
- investigationGardaí are continuing a search operation on open ground at a location in Co. Laois in the Fiona Pender case. (garda.ie)
- investigationThe search operation will remain ongoing overnight. (garda.ie)
- investigationGardaí are appealing to anyone who previously came forward to contact the investigation team again. (garda.ie)
- investigationThe public is asked to contact Tullamore Garda Station on 057 932 7600 or any Garda Station with information. (garda.ie)
- investigationThose wishing to provide information confidentially should contact the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111. (garda.ie)
- investigationGardaí concluded the search operation on open ground at a location in Co. Laois (garda.ie)
- investigationThe results of the searches are not being released for operational reasons (garda.ie)
- investigationAn Garda Síochána updated the family on developments (garda.ie)
- investigationInvestigations are ongoing (garda.ie)
- investigationGardaí appeal to anyone with information to contact Tullamore Garda Station on 057 932 7600 (garda.ie)
- investigationAnyone wishing to provide information confidentially should contact the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 (garda.ie)
- otherNo person has been brought to justice for the disappearance and murder (garda.ie)
- otherNo through traffic is allowed on Ross Road until further notice, with local access via the R422 entrance only. (garda.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 1 May2025Update (4) Investigation into the Disappearance and Murder of Fiona Pender in August 1996
Reports that Gardaí concluded a search operation on open ground in Co. Laois, with results withheld for operational reasons. The family has been updated on developments. Investigations remain ongoing and Gardaí continue to appeal for information from the public.
victim, Fiona PenderFiona Pender - 1 May2025Update (3) Investigation into the Disappearance and Murder of Fiona Pender in August 1996
Update (3) confirming the search operation is ongoing overnight, the Ross Road closure at Clonaslee, and a renewed appeal for information from the public and anyone who previously came forward.
victim, Fiona Pender, irish (judged from name)Fiona Pender - 1 May2025Update (2) - Investigation into the Disappearance and Murder of Fiona Pender in August 1996
Reports a new search operation on 28 May 2025 involving excavation, technical and forensic examinations of open ground in Co Laois, and provides details of Fiona Pender's last known appearance and physical description.
victim, Fiona Pender, 25, female, irish (judged from name)Fiona Pender