Gena Heraty, Irish Missionary, Freed Following Kidnapping in Haiti

Sun Oct 19 2025 00:15:31 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Gena Heraty, the director of an orphanage in Haiti, has been released after being kidnapped by gang members in August. Her family expresses profound relief at her return.

Irish missionary Gena Heraty has been released from captivity after being kidnapped in Haiti. Her family expressed immense relief at her return, thanking those involved in her recovery. The incident, which arose from tensions in the region, had prompted worldwide appeals for her release.

The family of kidnapped missionary Gena Heraty in Haiti have said they are relieved beyond words at her release.

Ms Heraty, originally from Westport in County Mayo, serves as the director of an orphanage in Haiti and was one of several individuals taken by alleged gang members in Kenscoff, near the capital, on August 3.

The kidnapping spurred global appeals from the charity that employs her, urging for her safe return.

In a statement released on Friday, her family confirmed both she and the other captives had been freed and expressed gratitude to those who aided in her recovery.

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, the statement mentioned.

They added, 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.