The household of an Irishwoman who was amongst eight individuals taken by armed kidnappers in Haiti have requested individuals to maintain the group “in your hearts”.
Gena Heraty and 7 others, together with a three-year-old youngster, have been taken from an orphanage in Kenscoff in southern Haiti on Sunday.
Ms Heraty, from Westport in Co Mayo, has labored within the Caribbean nation for many years.
She oversees the orphanage, which is operated by the humanitarian organisation Nos Petits Freres Et Soeurs (Our Little Brothers And Sisters) and is situated about 12 miles from the capital Port-au-Prince.
Eire’s deputy prime minister and minister for international affairs, Simon Harris, stated he spoke by cellphone to Haiti’s international minister, Harvel Jean-Baptiste, and requested that all the things be executed to safe the discharge of the group.
The Irishwoman’s siblings have been joined by native individuals to hope for her secure return at a mass in her parish church on Monday.
It stated it’s working with all involved events in each international locations “who have all assured us that everything possible is being done to get Gena, and those taken with her, safely released as soon as possible”.
“Gena is loved and respected by so many people, as is evident in the outpouring of concern, support and prayers from everyone near and far.”
The assertion stated the household requested for “discretion and patience”.
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Mr Harris stated he had been in touch with Ms Heraty’s household on Monday and officers in his division would stay in “constant” contact with them, admitting the previous couple of days had been “extremely traumatic” for the households of all these kidnapped.
The minister stated his Haitian counterpart, international affairs minister Harvel Jean Baptiste, “assured me of his support in our work to ensure the safe release of Gena, and all the hostages, who have gone through the most horrendous of ordeals”.
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Viatores Christi, a lay missionary organisation, stated that one in every of its members, Ms Heraty, was taken by armed people from her residence on the NPFS compound in Kenscoff on Sunday morning.
“Gena has worked in Haiti for over 30 years, dedicating her life to children and adults with disabilities.”
“Her commitment, compassion and steady presence have made a lasting difference to many families in the region,” the group stated.
Fr John Kenny, a Westport parish priest, stated the area people was “saddened and shocked” by the kidnap of Ms Heraty, whom he described as “wonderful, generous and caring”.
He stated Ms Heraty’s sister Mary spoke at Monday’s service in her native parish church in Cushlough.
