Specialist dogs introduced in fiona pender search

Gardai involved in the search for missing Tullamore woman Fiona Pender have  begun using specially trained cadaver dogs at a site in Co Laois this morning. 

The dogs, which were brought in from abroad, are specifically trained for cold cases and can detect human remains which have been buried for a number of years.

Fiona Pender was seven months pregnant when she went missing from her flat in Tullamore in August 1996. Gardai suspect the 25-year-old Tullamore hairdresser and part-time model was murdered.

A fresh line of enquiry led to gardai announcing the commencement of a new search for Fiona at a 200 square metre woodland site in rural Co Laois last Friday.

It's understood the teams involved in the search at Capard near Rosenallis in Co Laois have spent the weekend carefully clearing and preparing the site for the introduction of dogs and equipment.

A senior Garda explained that 'there is a significant body of work to be done before you physically go under ground.'  In the meantime the dogs and specialist equipment will be used to search for anomolies in the search area.

Gardai said the dogs are expected to remain at the search site for a number of days.