Fiona’s family arrived into the Wexford village of Killinick this morning with renewed hope that they might finally get answers to questions that have plagued them for nearly three decades since she went missing after a night out at Butler’s pub in Broadway on February 8, 1998.
Gardaí closed off the village as they carried out a full search and excavation at a site, using heavy machinery, drones and forensic officers. However, nothing was found, creating another false dawn for a family that has gone through considerable torment over the years.
“The gardaí seemed so confident when we had our meeting on Tuesday,” Fiona’s cousin Gina said. “They’re gutted as well. A number of people highlighted this location, so obviously it would’ve had to be looked at anyway. It’s one more place off the list, I guess.
“We walked out of that garda station on Tuesday and threw our arms around each other and said, ‘This is it’. We’re just absolutely devastated.”
Both gardaí and the family have always been adamant that there are people out there in south Wexford who have vital information about the disappearance and murder of Fiona Sinnott and, putting their disappointment at the day’s events to one side, the Sinnott family made another heartfelt plea.
“We’d appeal again to anyone with any information, for the love of God, put the family out of our misery,” Gina said. “Show a little bit of compassion. Twenty-seven years is too long. We can’t stay on this road forever.”
The road to Ballymore closed in the village of Killinick during the recent search for Fiona Sinnott on Thursday. Pic: Jim Campbell. Inset image: Missing Fiona Sinnott
Today’s News in 90 Seconds – Thursday July 31
Fiona’s sister and best friend Diane was struggling to come to terms with another false dawn, but added:
“We’re just asking anyone who might have any little bit of information to come forward to the guards or ring the confidential line. They might think it’s only a little thing and it’s not important, but if anyone knows anything, please come forward.
“We do believe that there are people out there that know something. We’re just pleading – come forward.”
Still gathering her thoughts after gardaí had just delivered the disappointing news, Diane was defiant.
“We were a bit hopeful today and anxious and nervous all at the same time,” she said. “This place is ticked off now. We can go on to the next place. We will never stop searching anyway. We’ll never give up. We’ll always be searching for Fiona.
The family of fiona Sinnott pictured in the village of Killinick during the recent search for their sister on Thursday. Pic: Jim Campbell
Over the course of the past 27 years, the garda investigation team has discovered and collated thousands of documents/reports and taken more than 500 statements of evidence and retained a number of exhibits.
Extensive searches have been carried out and six persons were arrested and detained in connection with this investigation.
Diane Sinnott lays flowers at a memorial plaque for her sister Fiona at Kilmore Quay, Co Wexford.
On Sunday, February 8, 1998, Fiona was socialising with friends at Butler’s in her native Broadway near Rosslare, She left the pub midnight. This was the last confirmed sighting of Fiona.
A motorist saw a male and a female on the roadway near Kisha Cross, Broadway, about midnight that night.
There were two males in their late teens or early twenties in close proximity.
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.
Fiona Sinnott.
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.
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.
The road to Ballymore closed in the village of Killinick during the recent search for Fiona Sinnott on Thursday. Pic: Jim Campbell
Contact Wexford Garda Station on 053 9165200, or any Garda station. Anyone who wishes to provide information confidentially should contact the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.