Gena Heraty, who’s from Westport in Co Mayo, was considered one of eight hostages, together with a three-year-old baby, who had been kidnapped from an orphanage in Kenscoff on August 3.
An Irishwoman and 7 different individuals kidnapped in Haiti earlier this month have been launched, Eire’s deputy premier Simon Harris has mentioned.
Gena Heraty, who’s from Westport in Co Mayo, was considered one of eight hostages, together with a three-year-old baby, who had been kidnapped from an orphanage in Kenscoff on August 3.
Ms Heraty oversees the orphanage, which is run by the humanitarian organisation Nos Petits Freres et Soeurs (Our Little Brothers and Sisters).
Tanaiste Mr Harris mentioned he was delighted to verify the discharge of Ms Heraty and her fellow hostages.
“We warmly welcome the information that Gena and all the Haitian nationals taken captive on August 3, together with a small baby, have been launched and are reported to be protected and effectively,” he mentioned.
In an announcement launched by Eire’s Division of Overseas Affairs, Ms Heraty’s household mentioned: “We’re so delighted to have the ability to share that Gena, and all these taken along with her, have been launched following their kidnapping on August 3 2025 from the St Helene property in Kenscoff, Haiti.”
“We’re relieved past phrases. We’re so deeply grateful to everybody, in Haiti and internationally, who has labored tirelessly over these horrible weeks to assist safe their protected return.
“Particularly we want to acknowledge the assist of Tanaiste Simon Harris, Minister for Overseas Affairs and Commerce and his workforce on the Division of Overseas Affairs, together with Geraldine Byrne Nason, ambassador of Eire to america of America.
“The worldwide outpouring of concern, love, prayers and solidarity proven for Gena and to us by mates, neighbours, communities, colleagues, and certainly these with no connection to us in any respect has been an enormous supply of consolation and assist.
“For now our precedence is Gena – her well being, safety and privateness – and people in her care. We kindly ask that the media respect the necessity for privateness as all these concerned get better from this traumatic ordeal.
“We proceed to carry Haiti in our hearts and hope for peace and security for all those that are affected by the continuing armed violence and insecurity there.”
Mr Harris hailed Ms Heraty as a “deeply brave particular person”.
“That is the result we had all hoped for and I wish to sincerely thank all those that performed an element in securing their launch, together with Gena’s colleagues at Nos Petits Freres et Soeurs, the local people representatives, Haitian authorities, An Garda Siochana, our UN and European companions and the various officers within the Division of Overseas Affairs and Commerce for his or her tireless work to attain this end result,” he mentioned.
“This has, in fact, been an awfully tough and annoying state of affairs for the Heraty household. I want to pay tribute to their resilience and willpower to assist Gena and her fellow captives over these previous tough weeks.
“Gena is a revered humanitarian and deeply brave one who has devoted her life to supporting probably the most susceptible individuals in Haiti.
“It is a well timed second to recognise the work of all Irish humanitarians and missionaries working in difficult contexts and offering life-saving assist in Gaza, Sudan, Ukraine and past.
“Whereas we welcome this information, it is usually vital that we don’t lose sight of the challenges going through the individuals of Haiti.
“I now ship Gena, her household and all these launched my absolute best needs. We’ll proceed to supply all potential assist as they get better from their horrible ordeal.”
