The leader of the kidnap gang holding Irish aid worker Gena Heraty and seven others hostage in Haiti has made contact with her organization via intermediaries. Two people from the organization have spoken to the gang leader, awaiting further contact. Ms Heraty was taken on Sunday about 10km outside Port-au-Prince.
Ireland’s Tánaiste Simon Harris raised concerns about Ms Heraty’s case with EU officials, ensuring the European Union is firmly involved in her release. The kidnapping occurred during a time of crisis for Haiti, where law and order has collapsed and crime gangs have control over vast parts of the country.
The gang responsible, associated with the Viv Ansanm group, was sanctioned by the UN last month. Ms Heraty’s organization received two direct calls from the kidnappers but expressed concern that contact had been limited and had not resulted in a breakthrough yet. If negotiations fail, the Irish Government has options to intervene, including creating an “emergency consular assistance team” to co-ordinate local release efforts.
Source: https://www.irishtimes.com/crime-law/2025/08/05/leader-of-haitian-gang-that-kidnapped-irish-woman-gena-heraty-opens-talks