The Tánaiste has said that ‘no stone will be left unturned’ to secure the release of Irish woman Gena Heraty who was kidnapped along with seven other people from an orphanage in Haiti on Sunday. 

Ms Heraty - originally from Liscarney, Co. Mayo - has been living and working in Haiti for over 30 years.  She is currently a director at Sainte-Helene orphanage in Kenscoff, south of the Haitian capital, Port-au-Prince.

On Sunday morning, it is understood a gang broke into the orphanage, kidnapping Gena and seven other workers in the orphanage, including a 3-year-old child.

Gena Heraty

Newstalk reporter Stephanie Rohan provided Newstalk Breakfast with an update: “On Sunday morning, a gang broke into the [Sainte-Helene] orphanage. They kidnapped her, seven workers, and a three-year-old child.

“One report says that this child is apparently Gena’s shadow, and she’s really, really attached to her.”

“This gang is understood to be a local crime gang. Gena did contact the orphanage by phone to say she had been kidnapped. No group has claimed responsibility for the kidnapping and, so far. no ransom has been demanded."

Gena Heraty

In Liscarney, Ms. Heraty's local community paid tribute - a special mass was held on Monday, with hundreds in attendance.  Ms. Heraty’s sister Mary addressed the congregation, saying: “All we can do is wait and pray.”

Mary continued: “Gena is a woman with great faith,” and she asked the community “to keep that faith and to hold on to the hope that she will be released safely along with the seven others and the child."

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs is in 'close contact' with Ms. Heraty's family and local Haitian authorities.

"I understand that he held more intensive talks overnight with the Defence Minister in Haiti, and he said that no stone will be left unturned to ensure her and her colleagues are released," Ms Rohan said.

“[Mr Harris] said the teams in Dublin, Washington and London are all working to secure her release but - as of this morning - there is no further update and she is still in captivity.”