Family of Irish charity worker kidnapped in Haiti say situation is ‘deeply worrying'

Sunday World

3 days ago

Gena Heraty has been living in Haiti since 1993 where she runs an orphanage for up to 270 children
Gena Heraty has worked in Haiti for more than 30 years. Photo: Mark Condren.
The family of an Irish woman among eight people who were kidnapped from an orphanage near the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince yesterday has said they are 'absolutely devastated' by the news.
Westport native Gena Heraty is a charity worker overseeing the Sainte-Helene orphanage operated by humanitarian organisation Nos Petits Frères et Soeurs (Our Little Brothers and Sisters), AFP reports.
Ms Heraty has been living in Haiti for 32 years, running the orphanage which accommodates up to 270 children.
'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,' her family said.
Gena Heraty has worked in Haiti for more than 30 years. Photo: Mark Condren.
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'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,' the family statement read.
A three-year-old child and other orphanage workers have also been taken, according to the mayor of the local commune. It was first reported that nine were kidnapped, this has been revised to eight.
"The attackers broke into the orphanage around 3:30am without opening fire," said the mayor of Kenscoff, Masillon Jean, calling it a "planned act".
"They broke through a wall to enter the property before heading to the building where the director was staying, leaving with nine hostages."
A spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that it is aware of Ms Heraty's case and is providing consular assistance.
Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Harris said he has spoken to the family of Gena Heraty and said her kidnapping is 'deeply worrying'.
Speaking today, the Tánaiste said: 'The kidnapping of Irish citizen Gena Heraty, along with seven of her colleagues and a three-year-old child from the grounds of an orphanage in Kenscoff, Haiti, is deeply worrying.
'Gena has served the people of Haiti for over 30 years.
'She has dedicated her life to supporting the most vulnerable people in Haiti and it is imperative that she is released immediately.
'This morning, I had a good conversation with Gena's sister, Noreen, and I assured her that all is being done to ensure Gena's release.
'My Department is in close contact with the Heraty family, local authorities and Nos Petits Frères et Sœurs, the organisation Gena works for. The country's two ambassadors are also in close contact.
"We will continue to leave no stone unturned to ensure Gena and her colleagues are released.'
In a statement published on Sunday, NPH said that seven staff members and one youth were taken from its home for vulnerable and at risk children in Kenscoff.
The organisation confirmed that one of the staff members taken is a foreigner, whose identity and nationality will not be revealed for security reasons. NPH also said that two hospitals it runs in Haiti will be closed until the people taken from its orphanage have been safely released.
Gangs control 90pc of Haiti's capital, according to the United Nations, and in recent months they have been launching attacks on previously peaceful communities.
More than 5,600 people were reported killed in Haiti last year, with gang violence leaving more than 1 million people homeless in recent years, according to the UN. The UN recorded 185 victims of kidnapping in Haiti between April and June of this year, and said that gangs commit this crime to 'subjugate' people in areas under their control.
The Irish Independent previously spoke with Ms Heraty in 2013 after she was attacked and the then mayor was killed at an orphanage in Kenscoff in a robbery.
Ms Heraty is director of the special needs programme at the orphanage.
This article was amended on August 4, 2025, to reflect eight people in total were kidnapped, rather than the initial provided figure of nine.