Development in efforts to secure release of kidnapped Mayo woman in Haiti

Contact has been made with the gang in Haiti involved in the kidnapping of Irish woman Gena Heraty, who was among eight people including a child taken from an orphanage on Sunday, RTÉ News is reporting.

Sources have revealed to the national broadcasters calls have taken place between the gang who abducted Ms. Heraty and intermediaries on the ground in Haiti.

It is understood Haiti's lack of a fully functioning government has made diplomatic talks difficult.

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Harris held talks overnight with his Haitian counterpart about the abduction of Ms. Heraty.

Ms. Heraty was abducted along with seven others and a child from an orphanage in Haiti over the weekend.

A native of Westport , 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.

In a statement, Tánaiste Simon Harris said he asked Haiti’s Foreign Minister Harvel Jean-Baptiste "that everything is done to ensure the release of Gena and the other hostages".

Mr. Harris said Mr Jean-Baptiste had "assured me of his support in our work to ensure the safe release of Gena, and all the hostages, who have gone through the most horrendous of ordeals".

"We have agreed to stay in touch about the case, which remains extremely sensitive," he said.

The Tánaiste previously said work is being undertaken "by our teams in Dublin, Washington and London" to secure the release of the Irish woman.

"My officials in the Department of Foreign of Affairs are in constant contact with the Heraty family," he added.