Updated 7.45pm

Family handout Fiona Pender Family handout

THE SEARCH FOR missing Offaly woman Fiona Pender has been focused in a specific part of a forest in Portlaoise since 8 December.

Yesterday, gardaí concluded their search in this area, after nothing of significance to the investigation into her disappearance was found.

The search was concentrated at the foothills of the Slieve Bloom mountains, close to the Glenbarrow waterfall.

Garda Search For Fiona Pender. Gardai t Eamonn Farrell / Photocall Ireland Eamonn Farrell / Photocall Ireland / Photocall Ireland

However, a garda spokesperson said that the investigation into Fiona’s disappearance is ongoing.

Fiona was 25 and seven months pregnant at the time of her disappearance. She was last seen at 6am at her flat at Church Street, Tullamore, on Friday 23 August, 1996.

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