Irish Missionary and Toddler Among Nine Abducted from Haitian Orphanage

Mon Oct 20 2025 05:59:55 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Nine individuals, including an Irish missionary and a three-year-old child, were kidnapped from a Port-au-Prince orphanage on Sunday morning.

In a deeply concerning incident, a group of nine, comprising an Irish missionary and a young child, fell victim to a kidnapping at the Sainte-Hélène orphanage in Kenscoff, Haiti.

On Sunday morning, nine people were taken during a raid at the Sainte-Hélène orphanage located in Kenscoff, just outside Port-au-Prince. Among those kidnapped was Gena Heraty, the facility's director and a well-regarded Irish missionary who has dedicated herself to humanitarian work in Haiti since 1993. The details of the abduction were confirmed by local authorities, with Mayor Massillon Jean stating that the attackers entered the property through a wall around 3:30 AM local time without firing shots, indicating the assault was planned.

The group consisted of seven staff members and a child, all of whom were at the orphanage that cares for over 240 children, many of whom have disabilities. The motive behind the attack remains unclear, as there have been no ransom demands or claims made by the perpetrators, who are believed to be part of an organized gang prevalent in the region. Irish officials have confirmed they are providing consular aid to those affected.

Gena Heraty, originally from Liscarney in County Mayo, has been recognized for her committed work, having received awards like the Oireachtas Human Dignity Award. Despite the escalating threats posed by gang violence, she expressed her unwavering commitment to the children, stating her intention to remain in Haiti.

The Kenscoff area has been particularly vulnerable, experiencing ongoing violence and insecurity due to the widespread influence of criminal gangs that control much of Port-au-Prince. Despite efforts from local police and foreign assistance to combat gang activity, their impact remains predominant, with the UN reporting that groups control approximately 85% of the city.

In recent months, kidnappings have become alarmingly frequent, with internal displacement caused by such violence rising to over one million people, half of whom are children, according to reports from the United Nations' International Organization for Migration. The escalating turmoil in Haiti poses severe challenges, with families struggling to find refuge amidst this humanitarian crisis.