Household ‘devastated’ after girl kidnapped in Haiti

[ad_1] <img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/c8ef/live/421db120-71ca-11f0-89ea-4d6f9851f623.png.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/c8ef/live/421db120-71ca-11f0-89ea-4d6f9851f623.png.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/c8ef/live/421db120-71ca-11f0-89ea-4d6f9851f623.png.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/c8ef/live/421db120-71ca-11f0-89ea-4d6f9851f623.png.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/c8ef/live/421db120-71ca-11f0-89ea-4d6f9851f623.png.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/c8ef/live/421db120-71ca-11f0-89ea-4d6f9851f623.png.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/c8ef/live/421db120-71ca-11f0-89ea-4d6f9851f623.png.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/c8ef/live/421db120-71ca-11f0-89ea-4d6f9851f623.png.webp" loading="eager" alt="Universtity of Limerick Gena Heraty pictured outside an orphanage in Haiti. She is wearing a blue shirt and has light blonde and silver hair, which is mostly pinned back." class="sc-d1200759-0 dvfjxj"/> Universtity of Limerick Gena Heraty was amongst these taken in the course of the early hours of Sunday morning

The household of an Irish girl kidnapped from an orphanage in Haiti has mentioned they're "completely devastated" and described the state of affairs as "deeply worrying".

Gena Heraty, the ability's director, was among several people taken in Kenscoff, close to Haiti's capital, on Sunday morning, in line with mayor Massillon Jean.

Her whereabouts are unknown because the group, which features a three-year-old youngster, was taken from the orphanage, which cares for greater than 250 kids.

Irish broadcaster RTÉ is reporting that contact has been made with the gang concerned within the kidnapping.

RTÉ Information says cellphone calls have taken place between the gang and intermediaries within the Caribbean nation.

Ms Heraty, who's initially from Westport in County Mayo, oversees the orphanage, which is run by the humanitarian organisation Nos Petits Frères et Sœurs (Our Little Brothers and Sisters – NPFS), within the commune of Kenscoff, about 10km southeast of the capital, Port-au-Prince.

Attackers broke into the orphanage at about 15:30 native time (07:30 GMT) "with out opening hearth", Mayor Massillon Jean mentioned, describing it as a "deliberate act".

The attackers had damaged via a wall to enter the property, Jean mentioned, earlier than heading to the constructing the place Ms Heraty was staying.

Gang members are considered answerable for the assault, Haitian newspaper Le Nouvelliste has reported.

Gang violence and kidnappings are additionally frequent in different areas in and round Port-au-Prince, the place the UN says armed teams management about 85% of the town.

Within the first half of 2025, UN figures present that just about 350 folks have been kidnapped in Haiti. A minimum of 3,141 folks have been additionally killed in the identical interval, the UN Human Rights Workplace mentioned.

'Scenario is evolving'

Ms Heraty's household mentioned they have been "completely devastated," describing the state of affairs as "evolving and deeply worrying."

"We're working carefully with NPFS [Nos Petits Frères et Sœurs] in Haiti and Eire, the Irish authorities, and worldwide companions who're doing every part potential to make sure the protected and instant launch of Gena and her colleagues," they mentioned in a press release.

"Out of respect for the continuing efforts and for Gena's security, we're not able to share additional particulars at the moment."

Norma Lopez, a good friend and colleague of Ms Heraty, mentioned she was calling for her protected return, so she will be able to proceed "her good work in Haiti".

"Particularly folks with particular wants, that is her focus as a result of it's a huge want in Haiti," she mentioned.

"Working together with her she is at all times considering, what else can we do?"

Tánaiste (Irish deputy prime minister) and Minister for Overseas Affairs Simon Harris has spoken to EU officers about Ms Heraty.

He raised the kidnapping with the EU's excessive consultant for overseas affairs and safety coverage Kaja Kallas on Tuesday.

The EU has a workforce based mostly in Haiti and Irish broadcaster RTÉ stories that following the decision, a diplomat there shall be tasked as the purpose of contact for the Irish authorities.

Harris held talks in a single day along with his Haitian counterpart relating to the kidnapping.

'A dwelling saint'

Tommy Marren, who's a presenter on Midwest Radio in County Mayo and is aware of Ms Heraty described her as "passionate, selfless and resilient" and mentioned she was regarded in County Mayo as "a dwelling saint".

"She is a devoted and dependable one who is taking care of a few of the most susceptible in society," he mentioned.

"Yesterday night, in a small parish church in Cushlough, the place she grew up, the parish priest mentioned all folks can do now could be pray and hope that this may have a constructive end result.

"Gena's household are completely distraught and devastated."

'Beneath fixed gang menace'

Harold Isaac, who's a journalist in Port-au-Prince, informed BBC Radio Ulster's Good Morning Ulster programme on Tuesday that "negotiations are ongoing via varied folks concerned to attempt to safe their launch".

"About 80 to 90% of the capital, Port-au-Prince, is underneath some type of gang management," he mentioned.

"It has been an ongoing state of affairs for the entire metropolitan space for the previous few years, however it has aggravated previously few months, because the authorities wrestle to regain management of the state of affairs.

"The neighbourhood the place the orphanage is positioned has been underneath gang assault for the previous six months, and this assault is only a reminder, actually, of how fragile the state of affairs is."