PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — An Irish missionary and a 3-year-old child are among eight people who have been freed in Haiti by kidnappers after being held for almost a month following an attack by gunmen on an orphanage, officials and relatives said Friday.

Gena Heraty, who has worked in Haiti since 1993, is director of a special needs program for children and adults at the the Saint-Hélène orphanage.

“We are relieved beyond words. We are so deeply grateful to everyone,” her family said in a statement. “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.”

Simon Harris, Ireland’s deputy prime minister, confirmed the release on his X account.

The Haitian authorities have yet to comment.

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