Thursday 5 November 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 30873Cybercrime (ransomware/hacking); breach of confidential information; fraud and deceit; conspiracy; conversion · Co. Dublin · 14 May 2021

HSE hackers cut off communication link, High Court told

The High Court heard that hackers who attacked the HSE IT system with ransomware on 14 May 2021 had cut off their communication link by 11 June, deliberately locking themselves out. Mr Justice Senan Allen continued the May order restraining the 'persons unknown' from selling or publishing the stolen HSE data, including private medical records of patients.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court8 Jul
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
14 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatHackers attacked the HSE IT system and planted a ransomware note on it. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe link through which the hackers communicated was disabled. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatIn their ransomware note last May, the hackers stated they could be contacted via an electronic link provided. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe stolen HSE data included private medical data of HSE patients. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe link was the only way of communicating with the hackers. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe hackers had cut off contact by the second week in June. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenOn 11 June the link was no longer accepting uploads. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeThe intended proceedings include claims for damages for breach of confidential information, fraud and deceit, conspiracy and conversion of the data. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe order prevented the hackers from selling, processing, publishing, sharing or making available to any member of the public the stolen HSE data. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe order was successfully uploaded onto the hackers' IT link. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe intended defendants had 42 days to enter an appearance to the proceedings. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtJonathan Newman SC, for the HSE, said those who hacked into the HSE system had not identified themselves. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtMr Justice Allen continued the May order. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe data is believed to have been accessed by hackers based in Russia. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 8 Jul2021
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    HSE hackers cut off communication link by second week in June, court told

    Reports the High Court hearing at which the HSE's counsel told the court the hackers had shut down their communication link on 11 June, and Mr Justice Allen continued the May restraining order despite the defendants' non-compliance.

    suspect