Gardaí renew appeal in 19-year hunt for missing Fiona Sinnott

Missing mum Fiona Sinnott with her daughter Emma

Cathal McMahon

Gardaí have renewed their appeal for help locating one of Ireland's 'missing women'.

Fiona Sinnott (19) was last seen in the Broadway area of Co Wexford on February 8, 1998 at approximately 12 midnight.

In February it was revealed that gardaí were carrying out door to door enquiries along two routes that Ms Sinnott may have travelled on the night of her disappearance.

A fresh appeal was also broadcast on CrimeCall.

Fiona's sister Diane Sinnott and mother Mary Sinnott. Photo: Gerry Mooney

This morning gardaí thanked the public for their "valuable assistance" with the investigation and again appealed for help.

"The Gardaí at Wexford are actively progressing the investigation into the disappearance of Fiona Sinnott," a spokesman said.

Ms Sinnott was socialising at Butler’s Pub in Broadway, Co Wexford with friends.

She left the bar at approximately 12 midnight. This was the last confirmed sighting of Fiona.

A motorist told gardaí he saw a male and a female on the roadway near Kisha Cross, Broadway, County Wexford around this time. There were two males in their late teens or early twenties in close proximity.

None of these four people have ever come forward and Gardai say they are anxious to trace them, or anyone who was in the vicinity who did not, or could not come forward at the time.

Her disappearance was initially treated as a missing person case. However, it was upgraded to a murder inquiry in 2005.

In February it was revealed that detectives conducted 459 enquiries and taken 355 statements to date.

Gardai are due to carry out a fresh forensic examination of the Rosslare home that Fiona shared with her 11-month-old daughter, Emma, using techniques that can find evidence in a way unheard of 19 years ago.

It is now possible to compare unknown crime stains with profiles on the DNA database that was set up in 2015.

"With recent advances in technology, we are able to locate and generate DNA profiles from stains that were not possible in 1998" said Dr Dorothy Ramsbottom, of Forensic Science Ireland (formerly the Garda Forensic Science Laboratory).

Anyone with information or who can assist with the investigation is asked to contact Wexford Garda Station on 053 9165200, The Garda Confidential Telephone Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.