An Irish woman has been kidnapped from an orphanage near Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti.
Gena Heraty, from Westport in Co Mayo, is one of nine people who have been kidnapped from the Sainte-Helene orphanage, according to reports.
AFP and France 24 reports that the facility is operated by the humanitarian organisation “Nos Petits Freres et Soeurs” (“Our Little Brothers and Sisters”). The orphanage is located in Kenscoff, about 10km from Port-au-Prince.
The people who were kidnapped alongside Ms Heraty include a three-year-old child and seven employees, according to Kenscoff Mayor Masillon Jean.
“The attackers broke into the orphanage around 3.30am (7.30am Irish time) without opening fire,” the mayor said, according to France 24. The mayor called 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.
The Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed to the Irish Examiner that it is aware of the case and is providing consular assistance.
“As with all consular cases, the Department does not comment on the details of individual cases.”
Tánaiste and foreign affairs minister Simon Harris described Ms Heraty’s kidnap and that of her colleagues as “deeply worrying”.
“Gena has served the people of Haiti for over 30 years,” he said. “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.”
AFP reports that Ms Heraty has lived in Haiti since 1993 and she runs the orphanage which cares for up to 270 children.
In April 2021, two French priests were kidnapped with eight others. They were released after three weeks.
Originally from Carrarevaugh near Westport, Co Mayo, Ms Heraty graduated with honours from the University of Limerick with a Business Studies degree in 1991.
Her first job was as a volunteer with the Simon Community in Dublin. She previously said this is where she became interested in the overseas voluntary work of Our Little Brothers and Sisters charity.
What started as a six-month placement in Haiti in June 1993 turned into a lifetime commitment.
She has dedicated herself to an orphanage high in the mountains of Kenscoff, about 10km from the capital Port-au-Prince.
Much of the work she has been doing is funded by donations from Ireland.
In a 2023 piece for the Mayo News, Ms Heraty made reference to a time when she had commented to a female work colleague in Haiti that she looked lovely in her matching skirt and blouse.
Her friend had told her in reply she had chosen the skirt — which was “not too straight” — because, she told her, “it is hard to run from gun fire if you are wearing a straight skirt”.
“I will never look at a skirt in the same way again”, Ms Heraty said.