"Simon Harris, Ireland's tanaiste (deputy prime minister), celebrated the end of their terrible ordeal in a statement on social media. We warmly welcome the news that Gena and all of the Haitian nationals taken captive on August 3, including a small child, have been released and are reported to be safe and well, Harris said. This has, of course, been an extraordinarily difficult and stressful situation for the Heraty family."
"Haiti has been thrust into an seemingly interminable spiral of violence since February last year when politically connected and heavily armed gangs launched a coordinated uprising against the government. Criminal groups now control virtually the entire capital and a UN-backed policing mission has failed to stop gang foot-soldiers rampaging across the Caribbean city. The situation has become so dire that authorities have resorted to using armed drones and recruiting foreign mercenaries in an attempt to win back control of the city."
Gena Heraty, an Irish missionary who ran the Our Little Brothers and Sisters orphanage near Port-au-Prince, was abducted on 3 August with seven Haitian colleagues and a three-year-old child. Her family expressed profound relief and gratitude to those in Haiti and internationally who worked tirelessly to secure their safe return. Ireland's deputy prime minister welcomed the release and praised Heraty's resilience, long humanitarian service and dedication to vulnerable children. Heraty had lived in Haiti for 32 years and cared for about 270 children in Kenscoff. Widespread gang violence has destabilised Port-au-Prince, prompting authorities to use armed drones and recruit foreign mercenaries to try to restore control.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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