
The disappearance of a pregnant Irish girl nearly 3 a long time in the past has been upgraded to a homicide inquiry.
A brand new seek is below manner to check out to search out the stays of Fiona Pender, 25, who went lacking in County Offaly.
She was once ultimate observed at about 06:00 on 23 August 1996 at her flat on Church Street, Tullamore.
Gardaí (Irish police) have now introduced that their investigation into Ms Pender’s homicide has been reclassified as a homicide investigation in accordance with the whole thing of the ideas to be had to investigators.
She went lacking in a decade when a lot of different younger ladies additionally disappeared with out hint in the similar province of Leinster.
But Garda assets have at all times indicated that they don’t consider her disappearance was once related to any of the opposite instances.

A brand new seek may be below manner on open flooring with regards to Killeigh, about 5km from Tullamore.
Gardaí say the realm will likely be subjected to excavation and technical and forensic examinations over the approaching days.
Garda groups have carried out vital inquiries and what they describe as a sustained investigation during the last 28 years so to identify what came about to Ms Pender.
During this time, investigators say they’ve collated 1000’s of paperwork and studies, taken greater than 300 statements of proof and retained a lot of reveals.
Extensive searches were performed and 5 other folks were arrested and detained in reference to this investigation, in keeping with police.
Ms Pender was once described as 5’5″ in height, with long blonde hair and she was wearing bright coloured clothing and white leggings when she went missing.
She was seven months pregnant and was said to be looking forward to the birth at the time of her disappearance.
No one has been brought to justice for her disappearance.

Gardaí have renewed their appeal to anyone who may have any information about the case and who has not contacted investigators to come forward.
They have also appealed for help from anyone who may have previously come forward but felt at the time they could not provide police with all the information they had about the disappearance of Ms Pender.
The Republic of Ireland’s justice minister, Jim O’Callaghan, said he was briefed on further developments in the case on Monday, according to Irish broadcaster RTÉ.
Speaking in Limerick, O’Callaghan said Ms Pender’s family have “long past thru a horrible time during the last 28 years or so”.
“I feel it is incumbent upon any person who has knowledge to convey that knowledge to the gardaí in order that this investigation may also be concluded,” he added.