Tánaiste Simon Harris has raised the kidnapping of Irish citizen Gena Heraty in Haiti with the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas.
Ms Heraty and seven other people who were kidnapped by a gang two days ago. Sources say phone calls have taken place between the gang who abducted Ms Heraty and intermediaries on the ground in Haiti.
During the discussions, Ms Kallas supported the Tánaiste’s request for the EU to designate a specific point of contact in Haiti, who will work directly with Ireland on the ongoing efforts to free Ms Herarty and the other hostages.
The EU has a team of representatives based in Haiti and after the call between Mr Harris and Ms Kallas, a diplomat based there will be tasked as the point of contact in this case.
Mr Harris said he has been in constant contact with the Heraty family and updated them on these developments this evening.
"The kidnapping of Gena Heraty, her co-workers, and a three-year-old child is utterly devastating," said Mr Harris.
"This is a particularly difficult time for the Heraty family.
"My Department and I will continue to provide them whatever support they need."
He added: "This is an important development; Ensuring that this case is firmly on the agenda of the European Union and our EU colleagues."
It is understood Haiti's lack of a fully functioning government has made diplomatic talks difficult.
'Truly grateful'
Ms Heraty's family has said they are "truly grateful" for the public's support after Ms Heraty and seven other people were kidnapped from an orphanage in Haiti.
"Gena is loved and respected by so many people, as is evident in the outpouring of concern, support and prayers from everyone near and far," they said.
They said they are working closely with the organisation that runs the orphanage, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and international partners who have assured them that "everything possible is being done to get Gena, and those taken with her, safely released as soon as possible".
"We continue to ask that you keep Gena, everyone taken with her, and their families in your hearts as we pray for their safe and speedy return," they added.
Ms Heraty was abducted along with seven others and a child from an orphanage in Haiti over the weekend.
A native of Westport in Co Mayo, Ms Heraty, who is in her mid-50s, oversees the Sainte-Helene orphanage in the commune of Kenscoff, about 10km southeast of the capital, Port-au-Prince.
The facility is operated by the humanitarian organisation Nos Petits Freres et Soeurs (Our Little Brothers and Sisters).
Kenscoff Mayor Masillon Jean said Ms Heraty was among a number of staff, as well as a three-year-old child, taken in the incident.
Watch: Former orphanage resident says she prays for release of Gena Heraty
'Under assessment'
NPH International called for the release of those abducted by the gang, adding it is "doing all we can to help bring them home safely".
It said the incident "remains under assessment".
NPH said Ms Heraty serves as the Director of the NPH Haiti Special Needs Programmes, and has been supporting NPH and the most vulnerable populations in Haiti since 1993.
Ms Heraty is the latest foreign aid worker to become the victim of kidnapping in Haiti.
In April 2021, two French priests were among ten people kidnapped in Croix des Bouquets before they were released nearly three weeks later.
The same group behind that kidnapping, the "400 Mawazo" gang, took a group of 17 American and Canadian missionaries hostage six months later.
Since the start of this year, Kenscoff has found itself in the crosshairs of the Viv Ansanm (Living Together) gang, which has already taken control of several other localities.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said at least 3,141 people have been killed in Haiti in the first half of this year, where the growing impact of gang violence threatens to further destabilise the nation.
