A new search for Fiona Pender, the 25-year-old pregnant woman who went missing 18 years ago, has begun in Co Laois.
An area of woodland at Capardwood outside the village of Rosenallis in Co Laois has been sealed off as a potential crime scene.
A team of gardaí, along with special search teams, forensic archaeologists and cadaver dogs are involved.
Gardaí say the search began today as a result of a new line of inquiry in the investigation into the disappearance of the Co Offaly hairdresser.
Ms Pender disappeared from her flat on Church Street in Tullamore on 22 August 1996. She has not been seen since.
A suspect, a man in his 40s, was identified but never charged. He subsequently emigrated.
Gardaí in Tullamore carried out a full review of the case in the past 12 months and made significant progress in the investigation.
