THERE was growing concern last night for the safety of two missing women, one of whom is seven months pregnant. Ms Fiona Pender (25), from Tullamore, Co Offaly, has not been seen for a week. A hairdresser, she is expecting a baby in October.
Gardai in Clifden, Co Galway, are also worried about the disappearance of a London-based solicitor. Ms Kathleen Keaney (30), from Doohulla, Ballyconneely, Co Galway, left her family home about 5.10 a.m. on Tuesday to drive to Shannon Airport where she was due to catch an early-morning flight to London. She failed to turn up. Her rented car is also missing.
The alarm was raised by the car hire company when Ms Keaney did not return the car, a red Rover 240, registration number 96 C 15361, on Tuesday morning. She did not turn up for work the following day. She is described as 5 ft 5 in, with long dark hair, blue eyes and a sallow complexion. When last seen, she was wearing a peppermint-green suit, cream blouse, and black shoes.
Meanwhile, gardai in Tullamore last night appealed to a man in his 20s who was seen speaking to Ms Pender at the Dunnes Stores centre on Church Street at about 6.30 p.m. on the day she disappeared to come forward. The man, who was wearing a biker's black jacket and black jeans, was described as tall with dark hair and was unshaven.
Ms Pender was wearing a navy blue T-shirt, a black and pink waterproof jacket, white leggings and white runners. She is 5 ft 5 in, slim and has long blonde hair.
Last night, her father, Mr Sean Pender, appealed to the public to help gardai to find his daughter.