'Intensive efforts' to secure release of Irish woman kidnapped from orphanage in Haiti

Westport native, Gena Heraty has worked in Haiti for over 30 years.

An Irish woman has been kidnapped from an orphanage near Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti.

Gena Heraty, from Westport in Co Mayo, is one of eight people who have been kidnapped from the Sainte-Helene orphanage, according to reports.

AFP and France 24 reports that the facility is operated by the humanitarian organisation "Nos Petits Frères et Soeurs" ("Our Little Brothers and Sisters"). The orphanage is located in Kenscoff, about 10km from Port-au-Prince.

The people who were kidnapped alongside Ms Heraty include a three-year-old child and other orphanage employees, according to Kenscoff Mayor Masillon Jean.

Speaking on Monday evening, Tánaiste Simon Harris said that "intensive" efforts were being made to secure her release.

He said: “This is an extremely sensitive case; One that is being worked on tirelessly by our teams in Dublin, Washington and London.

"Throughout the day, both my officials and I have been in close contact with Gena’s family.

We are also in touch local authorities and Nos Petits Frères et Sœurs, the organisation Gena works for.

This evening, I want to reiterate our commitment to ensuring everything possible is done to bring about the release of Gena, her co-workers and indeed the three-year-old child at the centre of this case.

“Gena is a deeply courageous and kind-hearted person who has given so much of her life to the humanitarian work that she cares so much about.

“As Tánaiste, I treat the safety and well-being of all our citizens with seriousness and sensitivity.

“When further updates are available, they will be provided."

No demands or ransom requests have been made.

The Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed to the Irish Examiner that it is aware of the case and is providing consular assistance. 

"As with all consular cases, the Department does not comment on the details of individual cases."‎

AFP reports that Ms Heraty has lived in Haiti since 1993 and she runs the orphanage which cares for up to 270 children.

In April 2021, two French priests were kidnapped with eight others. They were released after three weeks.

Who is Gena Heraty?

Originally from Carrarevaugh near Westport, Co Mayo, Ms Heraty graduated with honours from the University of Limerick with a Business Studies degree in 1991.

Her first job was as a volunteer with the Simon Community in Dublin. She previously said this is where she became interested in the overseas voluntary work of Our Little Brothers and Sisters charity.

What started as a six-month placement in Haiti in June 1993 turned into a lifetime commitment.

She has dedicated herself to an orphanage high in the mountains of Kenscoff, about 10km from the capital Port-au-Prince.

Much of the work she has been doing is funded by donations from Ireland.

Ms Heraty’s family is “absolutely devastated by the awful news that Gena and seven of her colleagues were kidnapped from the orphanage grounds" on Saturday.

“Gena has lived and worked in Haiti since 1993," the family said in a statement.

"She is the Director of Special Needs Programmes at Nos Petits Frères et Sœurs (NPFS), an organisation that supports children and young adults living with disabilities. NPFS is part of the Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos (NPH) network (www.nph.org).

“The situation is evolving and deeply worrying. We are working closely with NPFS in Haiti and Ireland, the Irish Government, and international partners who are doing everything possible to ensure the safe and immediate release of Gena and her colleagues.” 

NPFS Haiti is working actively to ensure the ongoing safety and well-being of all the children and workers at the orphanage in Kenscoff during this challenging time, Ms Heraty’s family said.

“We ask that you keep Gena and her colleagues in your hearts as we pray for their safe return.

“Out of respect for the ongoing efforts and for Gena’s safety, we are not in a position to share further details at this time.” 

Ms Heraty has supported “the most vulnerable populations in Haiti since 1993, with unwavering commitment to children and youth with disabilities,” a statement from NPH International said.

“We request the immediate and safe release of Gena Heraty and the seven other individuals, and call for their safe return to their families and the NPH community.

"Given the evolving nature of this incident, we are withholding further comment until more details are confirmed. We ask for discretion and patience as we manage this sensitive matter.

“Our thoughts are with the eight individuals involved in this incident, and we are doing all we can to help bring them home safely. We also extend our deepest support to their families in this time of uncertainty.”

In a 2023 piece for the Mayo News, Ms Heraty made reference to a time when she had commented to a female work colleague in Haiti that she looked lovely in her matching skirt and blouse.

Her friend had told her in reply she had chosen the skirt — which was "not too straight"  — because, she told her, “it is hard to run from gun fire if you are wearing a straight skirt”.

“I will never look at a skirt in the same way again”, Ms Heraty said.