HACK OFF!

Taoiseach refuses to pay ransom after HSE plunged into chaos. HEALTH TO RANSOM. 80,000 HSE computers shut down by hackers. But defiant Martin won’t pay criminals

- CIARA PHELAN and FERGHAL BLANEY

DEFIANT Micheal Martin last night refused to pay a cent to hackers who brought the HSE’s computer system to its knees.

Eastern European criminals carried out the most serious cyber attack in the State’s history – and sought millions in Bitcoin ransom.

More than 80,000 computers had to be shut down as the HSE, gardai and IT specialists sought to contain the damage which hit hospital appointments across the country.

The Taoiseach said: “We’re not going to be paying any ransom or engaging in any of that sort of stuff.”

DEFIANT Micheal Martin last night vowed ransomware hackers who brought the HSE’s entire computer system to its knees will not get a cent.

In what has been termed the “most significant cybercrime attack” on the State, the health service had to shut down 80,000 computers and specialist officers from the Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau were brought in.

A “sizeable” demand for payment in the untraceable online cryptocurrency Bitcoin was received, though the Government refused to reveal the amount.

The international organised crime gang behind this attack are believed to be from Eastern Europe.