Gardai are to begin a new search for the remains of Offaly woman Fiona Pender. Pender has been missing, presumed murdered, since 1996. The new search comes following information being received from a new witness following the arrest abroad of the main suspect in the case.

The Irish Times reports that the man has been charged with a crime unrelated to Pender’s disappearance but in the course of investigating his crime abroad testimony related to the Pender case has emerged.

Since the death of Pender, the man suspected of her killing has spent time outside the Republic. While abroad he was recently accused of assaulting a woman. The man was charged for this offence and released on bail. During questioning related to the assault, a witness offered information related to the man’s time in Ireland.

A team of Garda detectives was sent to interview the witness abroad. The information provided by the witness has led to the new search for Ms. Pender’s remains.

Ms. Pender disappeared from her residence in Tullamore on August 22 1996. She was pregnant at the time. Ms. Pender has never been found.

A suspect was identified but charges were never brought. The man has since moved abroad.