Gena Heraty: 'Intensive' efforts to free Irish woman kidnapped in Haiti

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

“Intensive” efforts are underway to secure the release of an Irish woman who was kidnapped from an orphanage near Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti.

Gena Heraty, from Westport, Co Mayo, was one of eight people seized from the Sainte-Helene orphanage.

The orphanage is operated by the humanitarian organisation Nos Petits Frères et Soeurs (NPFS), and is located in Kenscoff, about 10km from Port-au-Prince.

Alongside Ms Heraty, a three-year-old child and six employees were kidnapped.

On Monday night, Tánaiste Simon Harris said “intensive” efforts were being made to secure her release.

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

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

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

“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.”

No demands or ransom requests have been made.

In a statement, Ms Heraty’s family said it 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.

“She is the director of special needs programmes at Nos Petits Frères et Soeurs, an organisation that supports children and young adults living with disabilities. NPFS is part of the Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos [NPH] network.

“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 wellbeing 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,” said Ms Heraty’s family. “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”, according to a statement from NPH International.

“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.”