Issue Date: 21/08/2026
Sunday, 23rd August 2026 marks 30 years since the disappearance and murder of Fiona Pender.
Fiona was last seen at approximately 6am on the morning of Friday, 23rd August 1996 in her flat on Church Street in Tullamore, Co. Offaly.
She was 25 years old at the time she went missing. 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. Fiona was seven months pregnant at the time of her disappearance.
Gardaí in the Laois Offaly Division have carried out a sustained investigation over the last 30 years. The 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.
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, 23rd August 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.
