Irish woman kidnapped from orphanage in Haiti

Eight people in total have been kidnapped.

The Department of Foreign Affairs say that they are aware of the incident and are providing consular assistance.

According to RTE, Gena Heraty, who is from Westport in Mayo, oversees the Sainte-Helene orphanage in Kenscoff, 10km away from the capital of Port-au-Prince.

Ms Heraty, who has lived in Haiti since 1993 and runs the orphanage, was kidnapped alongside seven other employees and a three-year-old child.

Back in 2021, two priests and eight others were kidnapped in Haiti before being released almost three weeks later.

Six months after this incident, 17 American and Canadian missionaries were kidnapped by the same group, the so-called 400 Mawazo gang.

Kenscoff Mayor Masillon Jean said: "The attackers broke into the orphanage around 3:30am (0730 GMT) without opening fire.

"They broke through a wall to enter the property before heading to the building where the director was staying, leaving with nine hostages."

Apparently no demands or ransom requests have been made as of yet.