Mayo woman among nine people kidnapped from orphanage in Haiti
Westport native, Gena Heraty has worked in Haiti for over 30 years.
An Irish woman has been kidnapped from an orphanage near Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti.
Gena Heraty, from Westport in Co Mayo, is one of nine people who have been kidnapped from the Sainte-Helene orphanage, according to reports.
AFP and Fracne 24 reports that the facility is operated by the humanitarian organisation "Nos Petits Freres et Soeurs" ("Our Little Brothers and Sisters").
The people who were kidnapped alongside Ms Heraty include a three-year-old child and seven employees, according to Kenscoff Mayor Masillon Jean.
"The attackers broke into the orphanage around 3.30am (07.30am Irish time) without opening fire," the mayor said, according to France 24. The mayor called it a "planned act".
"They broke through a wall to enter the property before heading to the building where the director was staying, leaving with nine hostages."
No demands or ransom requests have been made.
AFP reports that Ms Heraty has lived in Haiti since 1993 and she runs the orphanage which cares for up to 270 children.
In April 2021, two French priests were kidnapped with eight others. They were released after three weeks.
