**The kidnappings, which occurred in Kenscoff, highlight the increasing threat posed by armed gangs in the region, prompting concerns over humanitarian safety and security.**
**Irish Missionary and Toddler Among Nine Kidnapped From Haitian Orphanage**
**Irish Missionary and Toddler Among Nine Kidnapped From Haitian Orphanage**
**An Irish missionary and her three-year-old companion are among nine individuals taken from an orphanage amid escalating gang violence in Haiti.**
In a troubling escalation of violence in Haiti, Gena Heraty, an Irish missionary, and a three-year-old child were kidnapped from the Sainte-Hélène orphanage near Port-au-Prince on Sunday. The incident, which has been described as a "planned act," involved the attackers breaching a wall to access the facility during the early morning hours. Alongside the two, seven staff members were also taken hostage as the gang stormed the orphanage, which is home to over 240 children, many of whom have disabilities.
The disturbing event was confirmed by Kenscoff's Mayor Massillon Jean, who indicated that the assailants entered without discharging firearms. As of now, no ransom demands have been reported, and the Irish government's foreign affairs department is providing consular support to the affected families.
Gena Heraty, originally from Liscarney, County Mayo, has dedicated decades to her humanitarian work in Haiti, having arrived there in 1993. Despite the worsening gang violence, she has resisted calls to leave, stating that her commitment to the children at the orphanage sustains her resolve. "We're in this together," she had said in a past interview.
Kenscoff, situated on the outskirts of Port-au-Prince, has seen significant gang activity, with criminal groups asserting control over the area. Efforts by Haitian police, bolstered by forces from Kenya and international contractors utilizing advanced surveillance technologies, have been largely ineffective in curtailing the influence of these gangs.
The frequency of kidnappings and violence in Haiti continues to rise, with the United Nations reporting that armed groups control approximately 85% of the capital. Just a month earlier, six UNICEF staff members experienced a similar fate in an area dominated by gangs, underscoring the ongoing humanitarian crisis.
As insecurity takes hold of the nation, the UN has highlighted that approximately 350 kidnappings occurred in the first half of 2025 alone, compounded by over 3,100 reported fatalities within the same timeframe. UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk has expressed deep concerns that the escalating gang violence could further destabilize an already fragile Haiti, which is grappling with significant displacement and humanitarian challenges.
The disturbing event was confirmed by Kenscoff's Mayor Massillon Jean, who indicated that the assailants entered without discharging firearms. As of now, no ransom demands have been reported, and the Irish government's foreign affairs department is providing consular support to the affected families.
Gena Heraty, originally from Liscarney, County Mayo, has dedicated decades to her humanitarian work in Haiti, having arrived there in 1993. Despite the worsening gang violence, she has resisted calls to leave, stating that her commitment to the children at the orphanage sustains her resolve. "We're in this together," she had said in a past interview.
Kenscoff, situated on the outskirts of Port-au-Prince, has seen significant gang activity, with criminal groups asserting control over the area. Efforts by Haitian police, bolstered by forces from Kenya and international contractors utilizing advanced surveillance technologies, have been largely ineffective in curtailing the influence of these gangs.
The frequency of kidnappings and violence in Haiti continues to rise, with the United Nations reporting that armed groups control approximately 85% of the capital. Just a month earlier, six UNICEF staff members experienced a similar fate in an area dominated by gangs, underscoring the ongoing humanitarian crisis.
As insecurity takes hold of the nation, the UN has highlighted that approximately 350 kidnappings occurred in the first half of 2025 alone, compounded by over 3,100 reported fatalities within the same timeframe. UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk has expressed deep concerns that the escalating gang violence could further destabilize an already fragile Haiti, which is grappling with significant displacement and humanitarian challenges.
