Irish woman among eight kidnapped from Haitian orphanage
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RTÉ News
32 minutes ago
- RTÉ News
'Intensive' efforts to secure Irish woman's release in Haiti
Efforts are ongoing to secure the release of Irish woman Gena Heraty, who was abducted along with seven others and a child from an orphanage in Haiti. Ms Heraty, a native of Westport in Co Mayo, who is in her mid-50s, oversees the Sainte-Helene orphanage in the commune of Kenscoff, about 10km southeast of the capital, Port-au-Prince. The facility is operated by the humanitarian organisation Nos Petits Freres et Soeurs ("Our Little Brothers and Sisters"). Kenscoff Mayor Masillon Jean said Ms Heraty was among seven staff, as well as a three-year-old child, taken in the incident. Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Harris said "intensive" efforts aimed at achieving Ms Haraty's release are ongoing. Mr Harris said he held talks overnight with his Haitian counterpart about the abduction. In a statement, the Tánaiste said he asked Haiti's Foreign Minister Harvel Jean-Baptiste "that everything is done to ensure the release of Gena and the other hostages". Mr Harris said Mr Jean-Baptiste had "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," he said. The Tánaiste previously said work is being undertaken "by our teams in Dublin, Washington and London" to secure the release of the Irish woman. "My officials in the Department of Foreign of Affairs are in constant contact with the Heraty family," he added. The Department of Foreign Affairs said yesterday it was aware of the incident and is providing consular assistance. 'Under assessment' Ms Heraty's family said they are "devastated" by the incident. They said yesterday the the situation is "evolving" and "deeply worrying", adding that they are working closely with Nos Petits Frères et Sœurs (Little Brothers and Sisters) in Haiti and in Ireland, and the Irish Government to ensure the safe release of those taken. NPH International called for the release of those abducted by the gang, adding it is "doing all we can to help bring them home safely". It said the incident "remains under assessment". NPH said Ms Heraty serves as the Director of the NPH Haiti Special Needs Programmes, and has been supporting NPH and the most vulnerable populations in Haiti since 1993. Ms Heraty is the latest foreign missionary to become the victim of kidnapping in Haiti. In April 2021, two French priests were among ten people kidnapped in Croix des Bouquets before they were released nearly three weeks later. The same group behind that kidnapping, the "400 Mawazo" gang, took a group of 17 American and Canadian missionaries hostage six months later. Since the start of this year, Kenscoff has found itself in the crosshairs of the Viv Ansanm (Living Together) gang, which has already taken control of several other localities. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said at least 3,141 people have been killed in Haiti in the first half of this year, where the growing impact of gang violence threatens to further destabilize the nation.
Irish Times
32 minutes ago
- Irish Times
Tánaiste says ‘no stone unturned' in efforts to locate Irish woman kidnapped in Haiti
Every effort is being made to locate an Irish woman who was kidnapped alongside seven others in Haiti, the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs has said. Irish missionary Gena Heraty was among those kidnapped on Sunday from the Sainte-Hélène orphanage in the commune of Kenscoff, about 10km southeast of the Haitian capital Port-au-Prince. Ms Heraty oversees the orphanage that is run by the humanitarian organisation Nos Petits Frères et Soeurs (Our Little Brothers and Sisters). NPH Ireland, the charity's Irish branch, confirmed seven employees, including Ms Heraty, and a child were taken. It is understood the child is three years old. READ MORE Tánaiste Simon Harris described the kidnapping as 'deeply worrying' and said it is 'imperative' the hostages are released immediately. Ms Heraty, from Westport in Co Mayo, moved to Haiti in 1993. Mr Harris said she had 'dedicated her life to supporting the most vulnerable' in Haiti. He spoke to her family on Monday and assured them 'all is being done' to ensure her release. 'We will continue to leave no stone unturned to ensure Gena and her colleagues are released.' He said his department is in close contact with local authorities and Nos Petits Frères et Soeurs. No demands or ransom requests have yet been made. A number of potential options are being examined by Irish officials to help secure Ms Heraty's release. These include negotiations with the criminal gang through local intermediaries, including charities. This is considered by far the most realistic option, sources said. Another option being examined is requesting help from the UN security force on the ground in Haiti, including a possible rescue mission. The Department of Foreign Affairs may also decide to send an Emergency Consular Assistance Team (Ecat) to the region. These teams typically comprise experienced diplomats backed up by Defence Forces troops who work with local authorities to secure the release of Irish citizens. They have previously been deployed to assist Irish people in Afghanistan, Sudan and Iraq. The efforts are being led by officials in the US embassy in Washington DC, along with staff in Dublin.
Irish Times
32 minutes ago
- Irish Times
Irish woman kidnapped in Haiti ‘dedicated her life to supporting the most vulnerable'
An Irish woman kidnapped in Haiti has 'dedicated her life to supporting the most vulnerable' there, Tánaiste Simon Harris has said. The Government is in close contact with authorities in Haiti and 'will continue to leave no stone unturned to ensure' Gena Heraty is released, he said on Monday. Ms Heraty was among eight people kidnapped from the Sainte-Hélène orphanage in the commune of Kenscoff, about 10km southeast of the Haitian capital Port-au-Prince, on Sunday. The Co Mayo woman, who has lived in Haiti since 1993, oversees the running of the orphanage and is the co-ordinator of its special needs programme. READ MORE The facility is operated by the humanitarian organisation Nos Petits Frères et Soeurs (NPFS, Our Little Brothers and Sisters). NPH Ireland, the charity's Irish branch, confirmed eight people were kidnapped – seven employees, including Ms Heraty, and a child. It is understood the child is three years old. 'Our thoughts are with the eight individuals, and we remain hopeful for their safe return,' a statement on behalf of the organisation said. No demands or ransom requests have been made. Originally from Westport, Ms Heraty graduated from the University of Limerick with a degree in business studies in 1991. She joined lay missionary group Viatores Christi, based in Dublin, and began working with the Simon Community. She was introduced to the French charity NPFS and began working at the orphanage in Haiti. Writing about her work for The Irish Times in 2007 , she said: 'Once I saw those kids, I knew I had to help them.' Haiti 'is often so brutal. The challenge is to take the pain and see what you can do to relieve it – your own pain and the pain of Haiti. We can't change Haiti,' she wrote. In a statement, Viatores Christi said Ms Heraty has dedicated her life 'to children and adults with disabilities through her leadership of NPFS's special needs programme'. The organisation praised her 'commitment, compassion and steady presence', saying she has 'made a lasting difference' to many families in the region. 'We are thinking of Gena, her family and colleagues, and the adults and children in her care,' the statement added. Ms Heraty was named Humanitarian of the Year at the Irish Red Cross Humanitarian Awards in 2019. Announcing her win at the time, the judges said she was 'known all over Haiti for challenging prejudice against people with physical and intellectual disabilities'. Ms Heraty has won numerous other awards including the Oireachtas Human Dignity Award, the UL Alumni Award for Outstanding Contribution to Humanity, the Michael Davitt International Award at the Mayo People of the Year Awards and a People of the Year Award. In November 2013, she survived a brutal assault at the orphanage complex that left one of her colleagues dead. Two men, one armed with a hammer, attempted to rob the centre. Ms Heraty was punched and hit a number of times with the hammer before retreating to a nearby bedroom to protect some of the children. When her colleague Edward Major tried to intervene, the attackers turned on him, striking several times with the hammer. He died of his injuries. Ms Heraty, who described the attack as 'absolutely brutal', eventually managed to get away from her attackers after some of the children came to her rescue. In an interview with The Irish Times in 2022, she said she had no intention of leaving Haiti despite escalating gang violence, water shortages and the threat of being kidnapped. 'The children are why I'm still here. We're in this together,' she said at the time.
