Ireland Case No. 1195Murder · Co. Wexford · 8 Feb 1998
Gardaí conclude Wexford search in 1998 murder investigation
Fiona Sinnott, a 19-year-old mother of an infant daughter, was last seen leaving Butler's pub in Broadway, Co Wexford, at about midnight on 8 February 1998. A motorist reported seeing a man and a woman on the road near Kisha Cross at around midnight, with two males in their late teens or early twenties in close proximity. The case was upgraded to murder in 2005, when a man was arrested and detained on suspicion of the murder and five others were arrested in connection with the investigation, all released without charge. No person has been charged to date. In July 2025, Gardaí concluded a search and excavation operation in Killinick, south Wexford, using heavy machinery and drones, which ended without success, and the investigation remains ongoing.
- Reported1 Feb
9 reports - Arrested1 Jul
- Charged
- In court
- Verdict
- Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Fiona Sinnott, a 19-year-old mother of an infant daughter, was last seen leaving Butler's pub in Broadway, Co Wexford, at about midnight on 8 February 1998.
- A motorist saw a man and a woman on the road near Kisha Cross, Broadway, at around midnight, with two males in their late teens or early twenties in close proximity.
- Where
- She lived at Ballyhitt, Broadway, Co Wexford, at the time of her disappearance.
- Investigation
- The case was upgraded to a murder investigation in 2005.
- In 2005, a man was arrested and detained on suspicion of the murder, and five others (three women and two men) were arrested and detained in connection with the investigation; all were released without charge.
- Gardaí commenced a search operation on open ground in Killinick, south Wexford, on 31 July 2025, using heavy machinery and drones for excavation, technical and forensic examinations.
- The search and excavation concluded on 31 July 2025 without success, with results withheld for operational reasons.
- The investigation, led by a Senior Investigating Officer, has taken in excess of 500 statements and collated thousands of documents over 27 years.
- Charges
- No person has been charged in connection with the investigation to date.
- Other details
- None of the four people seen near Kisha Cross on the night of the disappearance have ever come forward to Gardaí.
102 statements extracted from the articles
- whatFiona Sinnott was the mother of an infant daughter. (garda.ie)
- whatA motorist saw a male and a female on the roadway near Kisha Cross, Broadway, at around midnight on 8 February 1998. (garda.ie)
- whatTwo males in their late teens or early twenties were in close proximity to the male and female. (garda.ie)
- whatFiona Sinnott was the mother of an infant daughter at the time of her disappearance. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatA motorist saw a male and a female on the roadway near Kisha Cross, Broadway, at around midnight on the night of her disappearance. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatTwo males in their late teens or early twenties were in close proximity, according to a garda report. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatA motorist saw a man and a woman on the road near Kisha Cross, Broadway, at about midnight. (irishtimes.com)
- whatTwo males in their late teens or early 20s were close by the man and woman. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe area will be searched and subject to excavation, technical and forensic examinations over the coming days. (garda.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- whatA motorist saw a male and a female on the roadway near Kisha Cross, Broadway at around midnight on that night. (garda.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- whatTwo males in their late teens or early twenties were in close proximity at the scene. (garda.ie)
- whatFiona Sinnott was a 19-year-old mother from Ballyhitt, Broadway, Co Wexford. (thejournal.ie)
- whatA motorist reported seeing a man and woman near Kisha Cross around that time, with two other men in close proximity. (thejournal.ie)
- whatFiona Sinnott was 19 when she went missing 27 years ago. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatFiona was the mother of an infant daughter. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatTwo males in their late teens or early twenties were in close proximity to the male and female seen by the motorist. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereAt the time of her disappearance, Fiona lived at Ballyhitt, Broadway, Co. Wexford. (garda.ie)
- whereFiona Sinnott was living in Ballyhitt, Broadway, Co. Wexford. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereFiona Sinnott lived at Ballyhitt, Broadway, Co Wexford at the time of her disappearance. (irishtimes.com)
- whereFiona lived at Ballyhitt, Broadway, Co. Wexford at the time of her disappearance. (garda.ie)
- whereFiona lived at Ballyhitt, Broadway, Wexford at the time of her disappearance. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe search was conducted on open ground at an undisclosed location in the county. (thejournal.ie)
- whereFiona Sinnott lived at Ballyhitt, Broadway, at the time of her disappearance. (irishtimes.com)
- whereShe was last seen in Broadway, Co Wexford. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereShe was socialising with friends at Butler's pub in the village of Broadway. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe road to Ballymore was closed in the village of Killinick during the search. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereAt the time of her disappearance, Fiona lived at Ballyhitt, Broadway, Wexford. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenShe left Butler's Pub at approximately midnight, the last confirmed sighting. (garda.ie)
- whenThe appeal was issued on the 25th anniversary of the disappearance and murder. (garda.ie)
- whenFiona left Butler's Pub at around midnight, which was the last confirmed sighting of her. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe appeal was issued on the 25th anniversary of the disappearance and murder of Fiona Sinnott. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenShe left the pub at about midnight, which was the last confirmed sighting of her. (irishtimes.com)
- whenFiona Sinnott disappeared and was murdered in February 1998. (garda.ie)
- whenGardaí commenced a search operation on open ground in Co Wexford on 31 July 2025. (garda.ie)
- whenShe was last seen shortly after midnight on 8 February 1998. (thejournal.ie)
- whenThe operation in Killinick took place from Thursday morning. (irishtimes.com)
- whenShe was last seen leaving Butler's pub at about midnight on 8 February 1998. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí in Wexford continue to actively investigate the disappearance and murder of Fiona Sinnott on 8 February 1998. (garda.ie)
- investigationNone of the four people seen near Kisha Cross have ever come forward. (garda.ie)
- investigationIn 2005 Gardaí arrested and detained a male on suspicion of the murder of Fiona Sinnott. (garda.ie)
- investigationAt the same time, five other persons (3 women and 2 men) were arrested and detained in connection with the investigation. (garda.ie)
- investigationAn Garda Síochána made direct appeals at the time of the 2005 arrests, a Crimecall Appeal in February 2017, and a follow-up appeal in April 2017. (garda.ie)
- investigationOn each occasion An Garda Síochána continues to receive contact from persons in relation to the investigation. (garda.ie)
- investigationNone of the four people seen near Kisha Cross have ever come forward to Gardaí. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationIn 2005 Gardaí arrested and detained a man on suspicion of the murder of Fiona Sinnott. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationFive other people, three women and two men, were also arrested and detained in connection with the investigation in 2005. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationNo one has ever been charged in connection with the investigation to date. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí made a Crimecall Appeal in February 2017 and a follow-up appeal in April 2017. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationIn 2005, gardaí arrested and detained a male on suspicion of the murder of Ms Sinnott. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationAt the same time in 2005, three women and two men were arrested and detained in connection with the investigation. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí concluded a search operation on open ground at a location in Co. Wexford. (garda.ie)
- investigationThe results of the searches are not being released for operational reasons. (garda.ie)
- investigationAn Garda Síochána have updated the family on developments. (garda.ie)
- investigationThe investigation into Fiona Sinnott's disappearance and murder remains ongoing. (garda.ie)
- investigationThe investigation is led by a Senior Investigating Officer. (garda.ie)
- investigationThe investigation team discovered and collated thousands of documents and reports. (garda.ie)
- investigationIn excess of 500 statements of evidence were taken. (garda.ie)
- investigationSix persons were arrested and detained in connection with the investigation. (garda.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí commenced a search operation on open ground at a location in Wexford on Thursday. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí in the Wexford/Wicklow Garda Division have carried out a sustained investigation over the last 27 years. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe investigation team has discovered and collated thousands of documents and reports. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe investigation team has taken in excess of 500 statements of evidence. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe investigation continues to be led by a Senior Investigating Officer. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí completed a search operation in Co Wexford as part of the ongoing investigation into the 1998 disappearance and murder of Fiona Sinnott. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationThe site was sealed off for excavation, technical and forensic examinations with the assistance of drones and heavy machinery. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationThe investigation has been sustained for 27 years by gardaí in the region. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationSix people have previously been arrested and detained in connection with the case. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationOver 500 statements have been taken in the investigation. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationThousands of documents and reports have been compiled and a number of exhibits retained. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationThe search is being led by a senior investigating officer. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationGardaí concluded a search of a parcel of land in south Wexford as part of the Fiona Sinnott murder investigation. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe search and excavation finished on Thursday afternoon without success. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationHeavy machinery and drones were used to carry out a full technical and forensic examination of the site. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí upgraded their investigation to murder. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationSix people were interviewed in relation to the investigation and all were released without charge. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí commenced a search operation on open ground at a location in Wexford on Wednesday. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationHeavy machinery and drones were deployed in Killinick for a full technical and forensic examination. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí confirmed they have concluded the search operation, with results not released for operational reasons. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí have taken in excess of 500 statements of evidence over the years. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationNone of the four people seen by the motorist have ever come forward to Gardaí. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe case was upgraded to a murder investigation in 2005. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationIn 2005, Gardaí arrested and detained a man on suspicion of Fiona's murder. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationFive other persons, three women and two men, were arrested and detained in connection with the investigation. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeNo person has been charged in connection with this investigation to date. (garda.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- chargeNo person has been charged in connection with the investigation to date. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeA woman in her 40s has been arrested in connection with a murder. (extra.ie)
- otherNone of the four people seen that night have ever come forward. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe murder victim is described as a young mother. (extra.ie)
- otherRoad closures and local diversions will be in place. (garda.ie)
- otherNone of the four people seen near the scene have ever come forward to Gardaí. (garda.ie)
- otherRoad closures and local diversions will be in operation for the search. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherA Temporary Restricted Air Space was put in place by the Irish Aviation Authority for the search area. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherFiona was the mother of an infant daughter at the time of her disappearance. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherTwo males in their late teens or early twenties were in close proximity to the male and female seen near Kisha Cross. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherRoad closures and local diversions were put in place with a strong Garda presence at the scene. (thejournal.ie)
- otherNone of the individuals seen near Kisha Cross have ever come forward. (thejournal.ie)
- otherFamily members met with Garda representatives at approximately 4pm. (irishtimes.com)
- otherFiona's sister Diane said the family is heartbroken but will not give up. (irishtimes.com)
- otherA motorist saw a man and a woman on the road near Kisha Cross at around midnight. (irishtimes.com)
- otherTwo males in their late teens or early 20s were also close by. (irishtimes.com)
- otherNone of the four people seen near the scene have ever come forward. (irishtimes.com)
- otherFiona's family gathered in Wexford on Wednesday amid the search. (irishmirror.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 31 Jul2025Gardai conclude search for missing Wexford woman Fiona Sinnott as appeal issued
Reports the conclusion of a search operation in Killinick using heavy machinery and drones, the closure of the road to Ballymore, a renewed public appeal, and provides background on the 27-year investigation including over 500 statements, six arrests, and the 2005 upgrade to a murder case.
victim, Fiona Sinnott, 19, female, irish (judged from name)Fiona Sinnottsuspect, malesuspect, femalesuspect, femalesuspect, femalesuspect, malesuspect, male - 31 Jul2025‘We are heartbroken’: Gardaí conclude search related to missing Fiona Sinnott in Wexford
Reports the conclusion of a search and excavation operation in Killinick, south Wexford, in the Fiona Sinnott murder investigation, which ended without success. Includes a statement from her sister Diane and details of the forensic examination using heavy machinery and drones.
victim, Fiona Sinnott, 19, female, irish (judged from name)Fiona Sinnott - 31 Jul2025Gardaí conclude Wexford searches in investigation into disappearance of Fiona Sinnott
Reports the conclusion of a search operation on 31 July 2025, details of the search methodology (drones, heavy machinery, excavation), the family's reaction, and the ongoing appeal for information after 27 years of investigation with six prior arrests and over 500 statements taken.
victim, Fiona Sinnott, 19, female, irish (judged from name)Fiona Sinnottsuspect - 31 Jul2025Gardaí investigating murder of Fiona Sinnott launch search operation
Reports the commencement of a new search operation on open ground in Wexford, provides details of the 27-year investigation (thousands of documents, 500+ statements, six arrests), and renews the appeal for the four people seen near Kisha Cross on the night of the disappearance to come forward.
victim, Fiona Sinnott, female, irish (judged from name)Fiona Sinnott - 1 Jul2025Investigation into the Disappearance and Murder of Fiona Sinnott in February 1998
Gardaí press release announcing the commencement of a search and excavation operation in Co Wexford, providing details of the 27-year investigation including over 500 statements taken, six persons arrested, and a renewed appeal for information from four unidentified people seen near the scene on the night of the disappearance.
victim, Fiona Sinnott, female, irish (judged from name)Fiona Sinnott - 1 Jul2025Update: Investigation into the Disappearance and Murder of Fiona Sinnott in February 1998
Update confirming the conclusion of a search operation on open ground in Co. Wexford; results withheld for operational reasons; family updated on developments; ongoing public appeal for information.
victim, Fiona Sinnott, female, irish (judged from name)Fiona Sinnott - 1 Jul2025Woman, 40s, arrested in connection with murder of young mum
The article text is only the headline and template markup. No location, incident date or investigation details are stated, and no existing case matches.
suspect, 40s, femalevictim, female - 8 Feb2023Fiona Sinnott: Gardaí renew appeal over 1998 disappearance
25th anniversary appeal; confirms no person has been charged to date; recalls 2005 arrests (one male on suspicion of murder, three women and two men in connection with the disappearance); gardaí believe people in the Broadway area hold information vital to the investigation.
victim, Fiona Sinnott, female, irish (judged from name)Fiona Sinnottsuspect, malesuspect, femalesuspect, late teens or early 20s, malesuspect, late teens or early 20s, male - 8 Feb2023Gardai 'anxious' to speak with four people about 1998 murder of Fiona Sinnott
Fresh appeal on the 25th anniversary; Gardaí seeking to trace four specific people seen near Kisha Cross; details of 2005 arrests (one man on suspicion of murder, five others in connection) provided; confirms no one has ever been charged.
victim, Fiona Sinnott, female, irish (judged from name)Fiona Sinnottsuspect, malesuspect, femalesuspect, late teens or early twenties, malesuspect, late teens or early twenties, male - 1 Feb2023Renewed Appeal – 25th Anniversary of the Disappearance and murder of Fiona Sinnott
Renewed appeal on the 25th anniversary; confirms no charges to date; details the 2005 arrests (one male on suspicion of murder, five others in connection); references previous appeals in 2005, February 2017 and April 2017; notes Gardaí continue to receive contact on each appeal.
victim, Fiona Sinnott, female, irish (judged from name)Fiona Sinnottsuspect, malesuspect, femalesuspect, femalesuspect, femalesuspect, malesuspect, malesuspect, malesuspect, femalesuspect, late teens or early twenties, malesuspect, late teens or early twenties, male