In brief
Gena Heraty, a missionary and orphanage director from County Mayo, Ireland, was abducted in early August in Kenscoff, Haiti. Following global appeals for her release, her family announced that she has been freed, expressing immense gratitude for the support received during her captivity. The family has requested privacy as they focus on Gena’s recovery.
The family of kidnapped missionary Gena Heraty in Haiti have said they are relieved beyond words at her release.
Ms. Heraty, who is originally from Westport in County Mayo, is the director of an orphanage in Haiti, and was among several people taken by alleged gang members in Kenscoff, near the capital, on 3 August.
It prompted worldwide appeals from the charity that employs to her kidnappers to release her.
In a statement on Friday, Ms. Heraty's family confirmed she, alongside the other captives had been freed and thanked those involved in her recovery.
The global outpouring of concern, love, prayers, and solidarity shown for Gena and to us by friends, neighbours, communities, colleagues, and indeed those with no connection to us at all has been a huge source of comfort and support, the statement added.
For now our priority is Gena - her health, protection, and privacy - and those in her care.
We kindly ask that the media respect the need for privacy as all those involved recover from this traumatic ordeal.
