The “devastated” family after a woman abducted in Haiti

The family of an Irish woman, abducted by an orphanage in Haiti, said they were “absolutely devastated” and described the situation as “deeply disturbing”.

Gena Herati, director of the facility, was Among a few people taken In Kencof, near the capital of Haiti, on Sunday morning, according to Mayor Masilo Jean.

Her location is unknown as the group, which includes a three -year -old child, is taken from the orphanage, which takes care of more than 250 children.

Irish television operator RTé reports that the gang involved in the abduction has been made.

RTé News says phone calls were held between the band and the Caribbean intermediaries.

Da -Herata, who was originally from Westport in Mayo County, led the orphanage, which is led by the Humanitarian Organization No. Petits Frees et sors (our little siblings).

It is located in the Kencof Commune, about 10 km (6.2 miles) southeast of the capital, Port-O-Prem.

The attackers invaded the orphanage around 3:30 pm local time (07:30 GMT) “without opening fire,” said Mayor Masilo Jean, describing it as a “planned act”.

The attackers had broken through a wall to enter the property, Jean said before heading to the building where he was staying.

Members are believed to be responsible for the attack, the Haitian newspaper Le Nouvelliste said.

The gang’s violence and abductions are also common in other areas in and around Port-Pre-Prince, where the UN says armed groups control about 85% of the city.

In the first half of 2025, the UN figures show that almost 350 people were abducted in Haiti. At least 3141 people were also killed during the same period, the UN Human Rights Service reported.

The family of G -ja Herati said they were “absolutely devastated”, describing the situation as “developing and deeply disturbing”.

“We are working closely with NPFS (Nos Petits FRères et Sœurs) in Haiti and Ireland, the Irish government and international partners who are doing everything they can to ensure the safe and immediate release of the gene and its colleagues,” they said in a statement.

“Out of respect for the ongoing efforts and for the safety of the gene, we are not able to share more details at the moment.”

Norma Lopez, a girlfriend and a colleague of Gaja Herati, said she was calling for her safe return, so he could continue his “good work in Haiti”.

“Moreover, people with special needs, this is its focus because it is a great need in Haiti,” she said.

“Working with her, she always thinks, what else can we do?”

Tanaist (Irish Deputy Minister -President) and Foreign Minister Simon Harris talks to EU employees about Gia Herates.

He raised the abduction with the high EU representative of foreign and security policy Kaya Calas on Tuesday.

He said Calas agreed to the EU to identify a specific contact point in Haiti, which would work directly with Ireland on the continued effort to release the hostages.

A diplomat based on the team of EU representatives in Haiti will now be set as a contact point in the case.

Harris also spoke on the phone of Haiti Foreign Minister Harvel Jean-Baptist and asked for everything to be done to ensure the release of Mrs. Herata and other hostages.

Tommy Marron, who is a radio leader in the Midwest in Mayo County and knows that Da -Herati described her as “passionate, selfless and sustainable” and said she was considered in Mayo County as a “living saint”.

“She is a dedicated and loyal person who takes care of some of the most vulnerable in society,” he said.

“Last night, at a small parish church in Kushlu, where she grew up, the parish priest said that all people can do now is to pray and hope that this will have a positive result.

“The gene of the gene is absolutely distracted and devastated.”

Harold Isaac, who is a journalist in Port-O-Prince, said The BBC Radio Ulster Good Morning Program On Tuesday, “negotiations continue through different people to try to secure their release.”

“About 80 to 90% of the capital, Port-O-Prem, is in some form of band control,” he said.

“This is a continuing situation for the whole metropolitan area in the last few years, but in the last few months it has deteriorated as authorities have been struggling to regain control of the situation.

“The neighborhood where the orphanage is located has been under the attack of bands in the last six months, and this attack is just a reminder, really how fragile the situation is.”