LAST UPDATE | 4 Aug 2025

AN IRISHWOMAN IS among nine people kidnapped from an orphanage near the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince yesterday.

The victims were taken from the Sainte-Helene orphanage in the commune of Kenscoff, about 10km southeast of the capital.

Among them was Gena Heraty, an Irish missionary who oversees the orphanage – operated by the humanitarian organisation “Nos Petits Freres et Soeurs” (“Our Little Brothers and Sisters”).

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Harris said that he has spoken to Heraty’s family today.

“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,” he said in a statement

“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.”

Kenscoff Mayor Masillon Jean said of the kidnapping, “The attackers broke into the orphanage around 3:30am [local time] without opening fire,” 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.”

No demands or ransom requests have been made, though Heraty called the organisation early Sunday to confirm she was among the kidnapped, a source close to the organisation told news organisation AFP.

Heraty has lived in Haiti since 1993. Originally from Westport, Co Mayo, she graduated from UL with a BBS degree in 1991.

“My first job was as a volunteer with the Simon Community in Dublin,” she recalled to University of Limerick, of which she is an alum, “and that’s where I really became interested in the overseas voluntary work of Our Little Brothers and Sisters charity”.

What started as a six-month placement in Haiti in 1993 turned into a lifetime commitment led Heraty to dedicate herself to the orphanage which she now runs. It cares for up to 270 children.

Her sister and brother-in-law are on the Faculty at the Kemmy Business School at UL.

She is the latest foreign missionary to become the victim of kidnapping in Haiti.

A spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs said that the department is aware of the case and is proving consular assistance.

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.

Includes reporting by AFP