Gang's 'ransom demand' for return of Mayo aid worker Gena Heraty
Discussions have taken place between Nos Petits Frères et Soeurs (NPFS, Our Little Brothers and Sisters), the organisation for which Ms Heraty works, and the paramilitary group 'Live Together', which is based in Delmas, in the western suburbs of Haitian capital Port-au-Prince.
However, a well-placed Haitian NGO source, who is familiar with Ms Heraty's work, told Extra.ie yesterday that the gang might not have taken the Mayo woman to Port-au-Prince. Pic: University of Limerick/RollingNews
'There are many empty houses in the area, because so many people have fled the violence. The gangs take over these houses. I have seen it myself,' she said.
The woman asked not to be named because she feared retribution against her or the NGO for which she works.
Speaking in Derrynane, Co. Kerry yesterday, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said Ms Heraty, who is in her mid-50s, is the 'manifestation of the very best of missionary endeavour, particularly working for children with special needs'. Pic: Leah Farrell/RollingNews.ie
He said every effort is being made to secure her release, adding: 'We would appeal to those who have kidnapped her and those in the orphanage to release them, not to harm them. Gena has done a lot of good for people, and we earnestly appeal for their release.'
Extra.ie previously revealed the Live Together group had emerged as the chief suspects in the abduction of Mr Heraty and seven others from a Haitian orphanage. Residents in the Haitian town of Kenscoff have described scenes of 'complete chaos' as the group launched repeated raids on their neighbourhoods in recent weeks.
On Saturday, masked Haitian police arrested a former senator with alleged links to the group. Pic: Viatores Christi Dublin/PA Wire
A special Mass was held on Monday in Cushlough, near Westport in Co. Mayo, for Ms Heraty and her colleagues.
Ms Heraty, who is originally from Westport, was kidnapped in the early hours of Monday morning along with one child and six other adults.
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 and has been working to support children with special needs.
The Mayo woman is very well-known in and around the commune of Kenscoff, which is approximately 10km southeast of Port-au-Prince. In a statement, her family said they continue to monitor the situation, which they have described as 'evolving and deeply worrying'.
The dead in Kenscoff in recent months include pastors, teachers and children. Ms Heraty is the director of special needs programmes at NPFS, an organisation that supports children living with disabilities.
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