Gardai say the family of Fiona Pender - who's been missing for 18 years - want to give her a Christian burial.

The 25-year-old - who was seven months pregnant - disappeared from her home in Tullamore in Co Offaly in August 1996.

Gardai - who say they fear the worst - believe that she was killed and her body concealed.

A new search for Fiona Pender is getting underway today in woodland near the village of Rosenallis in Co Laois.

The development in the case came about after a woman gave investigating officers fresh information.

Chief Superintendent John Scanlon - from Portlaoise Garda Station - is appealing to anyone with information to come forward:

Fergal O'Brien was in Co. Laois, where gardai gave the latest on the investigation;