Donal Fallon: History has recast Daniel O'Connell as a liberal icon, but he was no revolutionary
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Irish Daily Mirror
5 minutes ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Tanaiste holds talks with Haitian counterpart over Gena Heraty kidnapping
Tanaiste Simon Harris has held talks with his Haitian counterpart about the kidnapping of Irish woman Gena Heraty. Mr Harris, Ireland's Minister for Foreign Affairs, spoke to Haiti's foreign minister, Harvel Jean-Baptiste by phone and asked that everything is done to ensure the release of Ms Heraty and the other hostages, including a three-year-old child. Ms Heraty was kidnapped along with seven other people from an orphanage in Haiti. Ms Heraty is originally from Westport in Co Mayo. She oversees the orphanage, which is run by the humanitarian organisation Nos Petits Freres Et Soeurs (Our Little Brothers And Sisters). It is understood Ms Heraty was among seven employees who were taken in the incident as well as the young child. Speaking after the call, Mr Harris said: "I welcome my engagement with Minister Harvel Jean Baptiste after what has been an extremely traumatic few days for the Heraty family, as well as the families of all those who were kidnapped. Tanaiste Simon Harris (Image: Cillian Sherlock/PA Wire) "The minister assured me of his support in our work to ensure the safe release of Gena, and all the hostages, who have gone through the most horrendous of ordeals. "We have agreed to stay in touch about the case, which remains extremely sensitive. "My officials in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade are in constant contact with the Heraty family. "When we have further updates, we will provide them." Mr Harris said he had been in contact with Ms Heraty's family on Monday. Ms Heraty is a member of Viatores Christi, a lay missionary organisation. In a statement, the group said Ms Heraty was taken by armed individuals from her home at the NPFS (Nos Petits Freres et Soeurs) compound in Kenscoff on Sunday morning. "Gena has worked in Haiti for over 30 years, dedicating her life to children and adults with disabilities through her leadership of NPFS's Special Needs Programme," it said. Port-au-Prince, Haiti's capital city, close to where the kidnapping occurred (Image: Getty) "Her commitment, compassion and steady presence have made a lasting difference to many families in the region. "Our organisation has supported NPFS's work for a number of years and has seen first-hand the impact of Gena's efforts. We are in close contact with our partners on the ground and remain hopeful for her safe return. "We are thinking of Gena, her family and colleagues, and the adults and children in her care. We ask that her privacy — and that of those closest to her — be respected as efforts continue to clarify the situation." The Department of Foreign Affairs said it is aware of the incident and is providing consular assistance. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
Extra.ie
3 hours ago
- Extra.ie
Fears as Irish aid worker among eight kidnapped from Haitian orphanage
A Paramilitary gang has emerged as the chief suspects in the abduction of an Irish aid worker and seven others from an orphanage in Haiti. Residents in the Haitian town of Kenscoff have described scenes of 'complete chaos' as the group – called 'Live Together' – launched repeated raids on their neighbourhoods in recent weeks. Police have arrested a former senator with alleged links to the group. Fatima Jean-Jacques, the manager of My Green 509, an NGO in Kenscoff, told that her staff had to flee the town, and that her NGO shut for two months this summer to avoid attacks from the gang. A Paramilitary gang has emerged as the chief suspects in the abduction of an Irish aid worker and seven others from an orphanage in Haiti. Pic: Getty Images Ms Jean-Jacques, who attends St Nicolas, the same Kenscoff church as the nuns who run the orphanage, said there has been 'complete chaos' in the town in recent months. She said Mayo native Gena Heraty was kidnapped 'solely for money' and that Haiti has been slipping into chaos and gang fighting since President Jovenel Moïse was assassinated in 2021. She said the orphanage caters for local children and is located in the mountains. A Mass was held last night for Ms Heraty and her colleagues in Cushlough, near Westport, Co. Mayo. Ms Heraty, from Westport, was kidnapped in the early hours of yesterday morning with one child and six other adults. A Mass was held last night for Irish aid worker Ms Heraty and her colleagues in Cushlough, near Westport, Co. Mayo. Pic: Conor McKeown Tánaiste and Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Harris said the Government 'will continue to leave no stone unturned to ensure Gena and her colleagues are released'. Ms Heraty has been in Haiti for 33 years, working to help children with special needs in the island nation. She is well known around the commune of Kenscoff, about 10km southeast of the capital, Port-au-Prince. In a statement, her family said they are monitoring the situation, which they described as 'evolving and deeply worrying'. Ms Heraty is the director of special needs programmes at Nos Petits Frères et Sœurs (NPFS), an organisation that supports young people with disabilities. Tánaiste and Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Harris said the Government 'will continue to leave no stone unturned to ensure the Irish aid worker and her colleagues are released'. Pic: Sam Boal/Collins Photos NPFS is part of the Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos (NPH) network, founded in 1954 by Father William B. Wasson in Mexico. Kenscoff mayor Jean Massillon told The Associated Press in February that the town was under almost continuous attack by the Viv Ansanm gang coalition, with gunmen going from home to home and indiscriminately opening fire. According to AP, Viv Ansanm, which means 'Live Together,' formed in September 2023 as a coalition of two gang federations that were previously enemies. It was responsible for several attacks on critical government infrastructure in February, which eventually led to the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry. The dead in Kenscoff in recent months include pastors, teachers and children. The attack on the town that began in January has left over 1,660 people homeless, according to the International Organisation for Migration. Irish aid worker Ms Heraty has lived in Haiti for three decades and has been the victim of extreme violence before. Pic: University of Limerick/RollingNews A former senator was charged with conspiring against the state and financing criminal organisations for allegedly supporting Live Together. Nenel Cassy was arrested on Saturday at a restaurant in Petionville, a wealthy district in Port-au-Prince, Haiti's National Police said in a Facebook post. The police shared photos of the former senator in handcuffs next to heavily armed officers wearing ski masks. Cassy was designated as a corrupt actor by the US State Department in 2023. He was accused by Haiti's police of backing the attacks on Kenscoff. A Heraty family spokeswoman said: 'We… are absolutely devastated by the awful news that Gena and seven of her colleagues were kidnapped from the orphanage grounds in Kenscoff, Haiti, on August 3, 2025. Gena has lived and worked in Haiti since 1993… 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 [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. 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 lived in Haiti for three decades and has been the victim of extreme violence before. In 2013, she was struck several times with a hammer before two men used the same weapon to kill Haitian Edward Major in an attack at the orphanage from which she was kidnapped. Mr Major was killed as he tried to stop the robbery. Ms Heraty, who had been punched and hit with the hammer, was in a nearby bedroom protecting seven special needs children as the night watchman was murdered. 'We didn't know how they had killed him, we heard so much shouting and noise and banging, but we didn't hear a gunshot,' she told local media at the time. 'So we realised that they had killed him with the hammer. They must have knocked him on the ground, and they continued to beat him, I don't know.' The Department of Foreign Affairs has vowed to do all in its power to get Ms Heraty, her colleagues and an innocent child to safety.
Extra.ie
3 hours ago
- Extra.ie
Conor McGregor's 'let the people decide' petition gains over 7,000 signatures
Former MMA fighter Conor McGregor's petition, in which he aims to change the nomination process ahead of the Irish presidential election, has gathered over 7,000 signatures since its launch. McGregor, who lost his appeal against a High Court jury last week that he raped Nikita Hand, launched the petition on Monday evening, calling it 'Let the people decide. A petition to Ensure that Conor McGregor is on the Ballot.' In order to run for the office, a candidate must be an Irish citizen over the age of 35. They must also receive a nomination from at least 20 members of the Oireachtas, either TDs or Senators, or from four local authorities. So far, there are only two confirmed candidates in this year's presidential race. Fine Gael's Mairead McGuinness and Independent TD Catherine Connolly. Riverdance star Michael Flatley is also set to seek a nomination to become Ireland's next president, a court heard in July. Conor McGregor. Pic: Collins Courts McGregor's petition, which at the time of writing has over 7,200 verified signatures, reads: 'To the esteemed citizens of Ireland and the Irish diaspora. 'I, Conor McGregor hereby declare my intention to seek the esteemed office of President of Ireland. The current constitutional framework however presents a significant barrier to democratic participation. 'The existing regulations mandate that a candidate must secure nominations from either twenty members of the Oireachtas or four county councils to be eligible for the ballot. Conor McGregor and Dee Devlin. Pic: Marc Piasecki/FilmMagic 'This system, while intended to ensure a degree of political influence among candidates, inadvertently restricts the direct voice of the Irish electorate.' It adds: 'In light of this, I propose a petition advocating for a modification of the nomination process to allow my name be included on the ballot. 'I contend that the citizens of Ireland, both at home and abroad, should have the unhindered right to determine the candidates who appear on the presidential ballot. Conor McGregor. Pic: Fran Veale 'Therefore, I implore you to join me in this endeavor by signing this petition. Your support will be instrumental in championing a more inclusive and democratic electoral process, thereby empowering the people of Ireland to shape their own future.' It comes as Nikita Hand is set to sue Conor McGregor again, as well as her former neighbours. The former UFC fighter was found liable for the assault of Ms Hand, who said that McGregor raped her in a Dublin hotel suite in 2018. McGregor lost the appeal against the jury's findings last week, where he was expected to bring in Ms Hand's former neighbours Samantha O'Reilly and Steven Cummins, who said that Ms Hand's former partner assaulted her on the night in question. However, the application was withdrawn under what were described as 'mysterious circumstances.' Following the findings against McGregor on Thursday, Ms Hand's legal team said that she was issuing further proceedings against McGregor, as well as Ms O'Reilly and Mr Cummins, in an action filed on Thursday.
