Gena Heraty, the aid worker from Westport in Co Mayo who was kidnapped in Haiti on August 3, was released from captivity on Friday, August 29, her family and Irish government officials have confirmed.
Heraty, who is in her mid-50s and has lived and worked in Haiti since 1993, oversees the Sainte-Helene orphanage in Kenscoff, about 10km southeast of Haiti's capital, Port au Prince.
The orphanage, which cares for nearly 300 children, including around 50 children with special needs, is operated by the humanitarian organization Nos Petits Freres et Soeurs (NPFS, Our Little Brothers and Sisters).
In the early hours of August 3, Heraty, seven of her colleagues, and a three-year-old child were kidnapped by "heavily armed individuals" from the grounds of the orphanage.
“The gang members broke into the orphanage premises," Mayor of Kenscoff Masillon Jean said.
"They kidnapped the director and eight others, including a young child.
"There wasn’t really an attack per se - no gunshots were heard. They broke through a wall and then went toward the building where the director lived."
Heraty was afterward permitted to phone NPFS to confirm that she and the group had been kidnapped and that they were still alive.
The group was released from captivity on Friday.
Heraty family "relieved beyond words"
"We are so delighted to be able to share that Gena, and all those taken with her, have been released following their kidnapping on 3 August, 2025, from the St. Hélène property in Kenscoff, Haiti," the Heraty family said in a statement released via the Irish Government on Friday evening, August 29.
"We are relieved beyond words.
"We are so deeply grateful to everyone, in Haiti and internationally, who has worked tirelessly over these terrible weeks to help secure their safe return.
"In particular, we would like to acknowledge the support of an Tánaiste Simon Harris, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, and his team at the Department of Foreign Affairs, including Geraldine Byrne Nason, Ambassador of Ireland to the United States of America.
"The global outpouring of concern, love, prayers, and solidarity shown for Gena and to us by friends, neighbours, communities, colleagues, and indeed those with no connection to us at all has been a huge source of comfort and support.
"For now, our priority is Gena - her health, protection, and privacy - and those in her care. We kindly ask that the media respect the need for privacy as all those involved recover from this traumatic ordeal.
"We continue to hold Haiti in our hearts and hope for peace and safety for all those who are affected by the ongoing armed violence and insecurity there."
"Respected humanitarian and deeply courageous person"
In a separate statement, Tanaiste Simon Harris said he was "delighted" to confirm that Heraty had been released.
"We warmly welcome the news that Gena and all of the Haitian nationals taken captive on 3 August, including a small child, have been released and are reported to be safe and well," Harris said.
"This is the outcome we had all hoped for and I want to sincerely thank all those who played a part in securing their release, including Gena’s colleagues at Nos Petits Freres et Soeurs, the local community representatives, Haitian authorities, An Garda Síochána, our UN and European partners and the many officials in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade for their tireless work to achieve this result.
"This has of course been an extraordinarily difficult and stressful situation for the Heraty family. I wish to pay tribute to their resilience and determination to support Gena and her fellow captives over these past difficult weeks.
"Gena is a respected humanitarian and deeply courageous person who has dedicated her life to supporting the most vulnerable people in Haiti. This is a timely moment to recognise the work of all Irish humanitarians and missionaries working in challenging contexts and providing life-saving support in Gaza, Sudan, Ukraine and beyond. While we welcome this news, it is also important that we do not lose sight of the challenges facing the people of Haiti.
"I now send Gena, her family and all those released my very best wishes. We will continue to provide all possible support as they recover from their terrible ordeal."
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