Irish aid worker Gena Heraty released after Haiti kidnapping

Gena Heraty, an Irish aid worker who runs a special needs programme at the Saint-Hélène orphanage in Kenscoff, Haiti, has been released after nearly a month in captivity, her family and Irish officials said on Friday. Her release followed a kidnapping at the orphanage on August 3 and comes after intensive diplomatic efforts involving Ireland and Haitian authorities, officials said.

Heraty, from Westport in County Mayo, was taken during a pre-dawn attack on the Sainte-Hélène property, which is located about 10 kilometres southeast of Port-au-Prince and is run by the charity Nos Petits Frères et Sœurs. Reports on the number of people seized varied. The mayor of Kenscoff, Massillon Jean, told local media the attackers forced their way in around 3.30am by breaking through a wall and left with nine hostages. Other accounts, including statements from Irish officials and Heraty’s family, said she and several Haitian nationals, including a small child, were among eight people held and have now been freed and are safe.

In a family statement, relatives said they were "relieved beyond words" and expressed deep gratitude to those who "worked tirelessly over these terrible weeks" to secure...