Gardaí question 3 over woman's disappearance

Gardaí investigating the disappearance of Co Wexford woman Fiona Sinnott in 1998 have released a man without charge.

Gardaí investigating the disappearance of Co Wexford woman Fiona Sinnott in 1998 have released a man without charge.

The man was being held in New Ross Garda station under Section 30 of the Offences against the State Act.

A man and a woman, both in their 30s, were arrested yesterday, but the woman was released earlier today without charge.

Fiona Sinnott pictured with Sean Carroll
Fiona Sinnott pictured with Sean Carroll

This morning another man in his 30s and two other women, one in her 30s and the other in her 50s, were arrested. They are being held at New Ross and Enniscorthy Garda stations, also under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act.

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Under the Act, a suspect can be held for an initial period of 24 hours, which can be extended for a further 24-hour period.

Gardaí have renewed their appeal for information on the 19-year-old's disappearance.

Ms Sinnott, the mother of a baby girl, went missing after leaving a pub near her home at Our Lady's Island in Co Wexford on February 8th, 1998. Ms Sinnott was the youngest of five brothers and sisters.

The Garda investigation into her disappearance was one of the most intensive conducted in the State.

The last person known to have seen Ms Sinnott alive was her ex-boyfriend, Mr Sean Carroll, the father of her daughter, Emma, who is now eight.

On Sunday, February 8th, both were drinking in Butler's pub in Broadway, near Rosslare - but not in the same company.

Mr Carroll has told gardaí he spent the Sunday night at Ms Sinnott's rented cottage in the townland of Ballycushlane, where she lived alone. When he left the following morning, February 9th, she was still in the house. There has been no sighting of Ms Sinnott since.

In 1999 detectives involved in Operation Trace, the Garda investigation into the cases of six missing women, came to Wexford but failed to turn up any new leads. Afterwards, gardaí were said to be satisfied there was no link between Ms Sinnott's case and others.

Operation Trace was set up seven years ago by then Garda commissioner Pat Byrne to review the files of Ms Sinnott, Josephine Dullard, Deirdre Jacob, Ciara Breen, Fiona Pender and Annie McCarrick.

Patrick  Logue

Patrick Logue

Patrick Logue is Digital Editor of The Irish Times