Irish woman Gena Heraty and all those abducted with her have been released following their kidnapping in Haiti earlier this month, her family has confirmed.
Gena Heraty, a native of Westport in Co Mayo, 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.
She was abducted along with six others and a child from the orphanage in Kenscoff on 3 August.
The facility is operated by the humanitarian organisation "Nos Petits Frères et Soeurs" ("Our Little Brothers and Sisters").
In a statement, released by Ms Heraty's family following her release, they said: "We are relieved beyond words. We are so deeply grateful to everyone, in Haiti and internationally, who has worked tirelessly over these terrible weeks to help secure their safe return."
Ms Heraty's family thanked Tánaiste Simon Harris and his team at the Department of Foreign Affairs, including Irish Ambassador to the US Geraldine Byrne Nason, for their support.
"The global outpouring of concern, love, prayers, and solidarity shown for Gena and to us by friends, neighbours, communities, colleagues, and indeed those with no connection to us at all has been a huge source of comfort and support," they added.
"For now our priority is Gena - her health, protection, and privacy - and those in her care. We kindly ask that the media respect the need for privacy as all those involved recover from this traumatic ordeal.
"We continue to hold Haiti in our hearts and hope for peace and safety for all those who are affected by the ongoing armed violence and insecurity there," the statement concluded.
NPH, the charity that Ms Heraty works for, confirmed that she and her colleagues "have now been released and reunited with their loved ones".
"This has been an extremely traumatic episode for all involved. Thankfully, it has come to a safe resolution," it said in a statement.
"The safety and wellness of the eight individuals held hostage has always been the priority.
"To protect the identities and personal safety of the seven Haitian nationals, we will not be publicly sharing their names.
"We kindly ask that the privacy of all individuals and their families be respected at this time, allowing them the space to recover.
The charity thanked "the families and friends ... and all those who have provided support and prayers in recent days".
NPH also said that "with this resolution, St Damien Pediatric Hospital and St Luke Hospital will reopen their services to the community" in Haiti.
The Taoiseach and the Tánaiste welcomed news of Ms Heraty's release.
In a statement, Micheál Martin said: "I'm delighted for her family, who must be greatly relieved at this news".
"I also pay tribute to Tánaiste Simon Harris, Ambassador Byrne Nason and @dfatirl for their work to help secure the release," Mr Martin added.
Mr Harris thanked Ms Heraty's colleagues at Nos Petits Frères et Soeurs humanitarian organisation, community representatives, Haitian authorities, An Garda Síochána, United Nations and European partners, and officials in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade for their "tireless work to achieve this result".
"This has of course been an extraordinarily difficult and stressful situation for the Heraty family.
"I wish to pay tribute to their resilience and determination to support Gena and her fellow captives over these past difficult weeks.
"Gena is a respected humanitarian and deeply courageous person who has dedicated her life to supporting the most vulnerable people in Haiti.
"This is a timely moment to recognise the work of all Irish humanitarians and missionaries working in challenging contexts and providing life-saving support in Gaza, Sudan, Ukraine and beyond."
Mr Harris said that his department will continue to provide all possible support to those released as they recover from their ordeal.
