The search for Fiona Pender resumed this morning, as Gardaí continue to excavate an area of bogland near Killeigh in County Offaly. 

Ms Pender was last seen on August 23rd, 1996, in her flat on Church Street in Tullamore. 

She was only 25-years-old at the time and although Gardaí long suspected she had been murdered, the investigation was officially classified as that of a missing person. 

Yesterday, Gardaí announced that based "on the entirety of the information available to the investigation team", the case has been reclassified as murder.

On Newstalk Breakfast, Tullamore Tribune Deputy Editor Gearoid Keegan said the search is taking place close to where Ms Pender was last seen. 

“It’s about four or five miles from the town of Tullamore where Fiona Pender lived,” he said. 

“It’s on a bogland just off the main Tullamore-Portlaoise Road, just north-east of the main road. 

“There’s a small lane with a number of houses on each side of it in a rural area and it leads down to a boreen, essentially; there is bogland on each side of the boreen.” 

Gardaí search for Fiona Pender. Picture by: Eamonn Farrell/RollingNews.ie.

The bogland has been cordoned off for a search and the site will be excavated. 

Public access to the area has also been restricted. 

“There’s a ban on drones being flown for about a week imposed by the Irish Aviation Authority over the townland,” Mr Keegan said. 

“Obviously, people in Tullamore are hopeful that there’ll be a breakthrough after more than 28-years since Fiona disappeared.” 

Mr Keegan continued that it is not quite clear why Gardaí have upgraded the case at this point. 

“It might be just a technical thing,” he said. 

“In a case where no body has ever been found, Gardaí would traditionally not classify an investigation as murder. 

“I suppose effectively, when this happens more resources can be put towards the investigation. 

“The investigation, in lay man’s terms, has looked like a murder investigation all along. 

“People were questioned at the time and people were arrested - it’s just that no one has ever been charged. 

“At the very beginning, the Guards had a suspect, a man who was known to Fiona Pender and nothing ever came of the investigation at the time - despite searches taking place in different areas.” 

Gardaí search for Fiona Pender. Picture by: Eamonn Farrell/RollingNews.ie.

Gardaí have described their investigation into Ms Pender’s disappearance as “sustained”. 

“In 2014, Gardaí got information from a woman living in a foreign country in relation to a man who we believe is the same man who was initially suspected,” Mr Keegan said. 

“Inquiries were made, Gardaí took action but no charges have ever been brought. 

“So, it’s been tragic for the family all along.” 

In 1994, one of Ms Pender’s brothers, Mark, died in a motorbike accident and both have parents have since passed away as well.

Anyone with any information has been asked to contact Tullamore Garda Station.

Split of Fiona Pender and a Garda searching for her. Pictures by: RollingNews.ie.