Gena Heraty, the Irish aid worker who was kidnapped in Haiti over three weeks ago, has been released, along with her fellow captives.
Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Harris confirmed the release on Friday afternoon and said all the victims are reported to be safe and well.
Ms Heraty, a missionary who is director of the Sainte-Hélène orphanage run by Nos Petits Frères et Soeurs (NPFS, Our Little Brothers and Sisters) in Kenscoff, was taken with seven others, including a three-year-old child, at the start of August, about 10km outside the capital, Port-au-Prince.
The Co Mayo woman, who has lived in Haiti since 1993, oversees the running of the orphanage and is the co-ordinator of its special needs programme.
READ MORE
It is believed she was abducted by criminals associated with the Viv Ansanm gang which controls large parts of the country.
Criminals later made contact with officials to demand a ransom. It is not known if any ransom was paid.
“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,” the Heraty family said in a statement.
They thanked Mr Harris and officials at the Department of Foreign Affairs as well as Geraldine Byrne Nason, the Irish Ambassador in Washington for their assistance.
“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.”
[ UN considers bigger mission in Haiti to fight gangsOpens in new window ]
Mr Harris thanked Ms Heraty’s colleagues in the missionaries as well as others who assisted in securing her release include local representatives, Haitian authorities, An Garda Síochána 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.”
The powerful Viv Ansanm group has come under increasing international pressure in recent weeks, including from the US, which announced criminal charges against its leader Jimmy Cherizier, also known as “Barbecue”.
Washington has offered a reward of up to $5 million (€4.28m) for information leading to his arrest. In response, Cherizier has offered to negotiate with US authorities.
