The family is “destroyed” after the kidnapping of a woman in Haiti

The family of an Irish woman who was kidnapped from an orphanage in Haiti said that she was “completely devastating” and described the situation as “very worrying.”

Gina Hirati, the director of the facility, was Among the many people who were taken In Kenscoff, near the capital of Haiti, on Sunday morning, according to the mayor, Massilon Jean.

The location of its existence is unknown because the group, which includes a three -year -old child, is taken from the orphanage, which cares about more than 250 children.

Irish broadcaster RTé reported a contact with the gang participating in the kidnapping.

RTé News says phone calls were made between the gang and brokers in the Caribbean country.

Mrs. Hirati, who is originally from Westport in May Province, supervises the orphanage, run by the Humanitarian Organization NOS Petits Fiers et soeurs (our brothers and our young sisters).

It is located in the municipality of Kenscoff, about 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) southeast of the capital, Port-UU-PRINCE.

Mayor Masselon Jean, describing her as a “planned work”:

Jean said that the attackers had penetrated a wall to enter the property, before heading to the building where Mrs. Hirati was staying.

It is believed that the gang members are responsible for the attack, according to the Haiti Lu Nevilist newspaper.

Gang and kidnapping are also common in other areas of Port-UU-PRINCE around and around, as the United Nations says armed groups control about 85 % of the city.

In the first half of 2025, UN numbers show that nearly 350 people were kidnapped in Haiti. The United Nations Office for Human Rights said at least 3,141 people were killed in the same period.

The family of Mrs. Hirati said they were “completely destroyed”, describing the situation as “very sophisticated and disturbing.”

They said in a statement, “We are working closely with NOS Petits Frères Et Sœurs) in Haiti and Ireland, the Irish government, and international partners who do everything in his power to ensure the safe and immediate release of Gina and its colleagues.”

“In respect of the ongoing efforts and the safety of Gina, we are not in a position that allows us to share more details at this time.”

Norma Lopez, a girlfriend and colleague of Mrs. Hirati, said that she was calling for her safe return, so that she could continue her “good work in Haiti.”

“Exactly people with special needs, this is its focus because it is a great need in Haiti,” she said.

“Working with her is always thinking, what can we do?”

Tánaise (Irish Deputy Prime Minister) and Minister of Foreign Affairs Simon Harris spoke to European Union officials about Mrs. Hirati.

Raising the kidnapping with the high representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Policy Kaja Calas on Tuesday.

He said that Class agreed to appoint the European Union a specific communication point in Haiti, which will work directly with Ireland on the ongoing efforts to liberate the hostages.

A diplomat based in the European Union actors’ team will now be assigned to Haiti as a call point in the case.

Harris also spoke on the phone to the Foreign Minister of Haiti Harville Jean Peptest and asked everything to be done to ensure the release of Mrs. Hirati and the other hostages.

Tommy Marin, a prelude to the Middle West Radio in May District and knows that Mrs. Hirati described her as “emotional, non -selfish and flexible” and said that she was considered in May District “a living saint.”

“She is a loyal and loyal person who takes care of some of the most vulnerable in society,” he said.

Yesterday evening, in a small diocese church in Kushlo, where she grew up, the parish priest said that all people can do now is prayer and we hope that this will have a positive result.

“Gina’s family is very amazing and destructive.”

Harold Ishaq, a journalist in Port or Prince, said, said BBC Radio Ulster’s Good Morning Ulster On Tuesday, “negotiations are continuing through the various persons concerned to try to secure their launch.”

“About 80 to 90 % of the capital, Port or Prince, is subject to some forms of gangs,” he said.

“It has been a continuous situation of the entire urban area over the past few years, but it has exacerbated in the past few months, as the authorities are struggling to regain control of the situation.

“The neighborhood in which the orphanage was located was under gang attack over the past six months, and this attack is just a reminder, really, about the fragility of the situation.”