A priest in County Mayo has said the family of Irish woman Gena Heraty, who was kidnapped in Haiti, are “deeply distressed” and “living on edge” while negotiations for her release continue.
He described Ms Heraty as a “wonderful, generous, caring and compassionate person”, reports RTE.
Ms Heraty was taken along with seven others and a child during an abduction at an orphanage in Haiti over the weekend.
Originally from Westport, Co Mayo, and in her mid-50s, Ms Heraty manages the Sainte-Helene orphanage in Kenscoff, roughly 10km southeast of Port-au-Prince, the Haitian capital, reports RTE.
She is one of eleven siblings, the majority of whom reside in Mayo.
While discussions for her release are ongoing, the family has thanked everyone for their prayers and support but asked for privacy and declined media interviews, reports RTE.
In a message, Ms Heraty’s sister Mary said the family had received reassurances from the Government and several charities and voluntary groups that every possible effort is being made to secure the release of Gena and the others held with her.
Father John Kenny, who serves as Westport parish administrator, said the Heraty family is “very appreciative” of the outpouring of support since her abduction at the orphanage, reports RTE.
“Well, we were shocked first of all to hear the news, and we kind of suspected it might be Gena because she has such a high profile in our community,” reports RTE.
“We do a lot of fundraising for her charity in her home parish, Cushlough and here in Westport, for the orphanage in Haiti. Everyone is expressing their concern and solidarity with the members of her family, who are very upset and naturally on tenterhooks,” he told RTÉ News, following Mass this morning which was said for Ms Heraty at St Mary’s Church in the town,” reports RTE.
He shared that he had seen her last autumn when she was back home visiting schools in the area.
“She met the young people there, the children who were fundraising for her cause. And you could see her beaming with energy and enthusiasm about the work she does, as opposed to looking for credit, just looking to help out the people in need in Haiti,” he said, reports RTE.
Communities in Westport and Ahagower have been coming together for prayer vigils, hoping for Ms Heraty’s safe return and that of those abducted with her in Haiti.
During an earlier appearance on RTÉ’s Today with Colm Ó Mongáin, Fr Kenny mentioned that supporters had gathered at a prayer service in Westport the previous evening to comfort the Heraty familyt, reports RTE.
“They were there in great solidarity and great numbers … cars were everywhere, and people were gathered and quietly prayed and met with the family afterwards,” Fr Kenny said, reports RTE.
He added: “The family are very appreciative of the support and very conscious that people are praying in support of them,” reports RTE.
Fr Kenny described Ms Heraty as someone who avoids the spotlight but is always happy to speak about her work and has been consistently backed by her local community in her fundraising efforts.
“You could see her beaming with enthusiasm and energy around what she does, but like I said, never looking for the credit to herself but always drawing attention to herself,” reports RTE.
“That’s just the nature of the person she is. A wonderful, generous, caring and compassionate person – a great human being,” Fr Kenny said, reports RTE.
He also said the family had found some comfort in the active role the Government is playing to help resolve the situation.
Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Harris held discussions late into the night with Haiti’s Foreign Minister regarding Ms Heraty’s kidnapping, reports RTE.
In a statement, the Tánaiste said he asked Haitian Foreign Minister Harvel Jean-Baptiste “that everything is done to ensure the release of Gena and the other hostages”, reports RTE.
Mr Harris stated that Mr Jean-Baptiste had “assured me of his support in our work to ensure the safe release of Gena, and all the hostages, who have gone through the most horrendous of ordeals”.
“We have agreed to stay in touch about the case, which remains extremely sensitive,” he added, reports RTE.
Fr Kenny said: “They know and appreciate that they are doing their utmost at that level, official level, but nationally or locally over there, we just don’t know what the situation is and how delicate it might be regarding the ins and outs of negotiations. But at national level here, certainly our ministers and department officials are doing their best. But it’s a very stressful and difficult time for everyone,” reports RTE.
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