Missing Fiona Sinnott's family vows to 'never give up' as latest dig yields no clues

Four people who could hold the key to solving the disappearance of Fiona Sinnott 27 years ago have been urged by gardaí to come forward.

The plea comes as officers concluded a new dig for the missing mother, whom they suspect was murdered, without finding anything. Gardaí had sealed off an area of land in the Ballydusker area of Co. Wexford on Thursday, and specialist digging machinery was brought in to excavate the site.

Gardaí said there are four people who were in the area at the time who have yet to come forward and they are keen to speak with them as they may have a piece of information that helps solve her murder. Fiona’s family had released a statement on Thursday saying they hope that ‘today is the day we finally bring her home’.

They said: ‘We appreciate all the support you have shown over the years. Fiona’s family are within the area of the dig site and I would ask that you give us the privacy we need to process this development. Please keep us all, especially Fiona, in your thoughts today.

‘Hopefully today is the day we finally get to bring her home. Please, if you have any information, please come forward and help us progress this further for Fiona.’

Fiona, who was 19 and the mother of an 11-month-old baby girl, disappeared in 1998 after a night out. Gardaí believe that four people who were near Fiona just moments before she disappeared could hold the key to solving the mystery of the young mum’s murder.

A spokesman said: ‘On Sunday February 8, 1998, Fiona was socialising at Butler’s Pub in Broadway, Co. Wexford, with friends. She left Butler’s at approximately midnight. This was the last confirmed sighting of Fiona. A motorist saw a man and a woman on the roadway near Kisha Cross, Broadway, on that night at around midnight. There were two men in their late teens or early 20s in close proximity.

Diane Sinnott, left (sister) and Mary Sinnott, mother of Wexford teenager, Fiona Sinnott who disappeared in 1998, are pictured in 2017 to mark national Missing Persons Day. Pic: Collins Dublin

‘None of these four people have ever come forward and gardaí are anxious to trace them or anyone who was in the vicinity who did not, or could not, come forward at the time. Investigating gardaí continue to appeal to any person with any information in relation to the disappearance and murder of Fiona, who has not spoken to gardaí, to please come forward and speak to our investigation team.’

Fiona’s family believe they know who killed her. A statement posted on her missing person’s page on social media last year read: ‘Fifi we love you and would do anything just to bring you home.

'Exactly at this time of 00:10am 26 years ago Fiona left Butlers of Broadway (pub) to make her journey home after a night out with friends. Alone? Nope! Followed, yes! She didn’t “invite” you to walk her home. Why would she when she was terrified of you? Especially after the incident two nights prior down in Rosslare port.

‘We believe you murdered her that night at Kisha Cross when a witness heard a woman screaming at 12.30am. We know you are a coward who won’t tell us where you put her. It’s that last bit of control you think you can hold onto because that’s who you are.’

Gardaí said officers in the Wexford/ Wicklow Garda Division have carried out a sustained investigation over the past 27 years during which significant inquiries have been carried out to establish Fiona’s whereabouts and to investigate the circumstances in which she disappeared. There have been extensive searches and six people have been arrested and detained in connection with this investigation.

The Garda spokesman added: ‘Gardaí continue to appeal to any person who may have previously come forward who felt they could not provide gardaí with all the information they had in relation to this matter, to contact the investigation team again.

‘An Garda Síochána appeals to anyone with any information, no matter how small or insignificant you might believe it to be, to contact Wexford Garda Station at 053 916 5200, or any Garda station. Anyone who wishes to provide information confidentially should contact the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111.’