Ireland calls for hostages' release after gunmen storm Haiti orphanage

6/8/2025 7:13

Ireland's Foreign Ministry called on Tuesday on Haitian authorities to ensure "everything is done" to secure the release of a group of people, including an Irish missionary and a 3-year-old child, taken by gunmen who stormed a local orphanage.



Irish Foreign Minister Simon Harris spoke with his Haitian counterpart overnight, the government said in a statement, during which they agreed to stay in touch on their work to ensure the group is released, including missionary Gena Heraty.



"It is imperative that she is released immediately," Harris said separately on social media.



The attacks took place over the weekend when gunmen stormed the orphanage in Kenscoff, a mountainous community on the outskirts of the capital Port-au-Prince that has been under deadly attacks by armed gangs since the start of this year.



Father Richard Frechette, who works with Nos Petits Freres et Soeurs, the international charity that runs the orphanage, told Reuters a total of eight people had been kidnapped including the 3-year-old boy, six staff members and Heraty, who heads special needs programs at the orphanage.