The hackers behind the HSE cyber attack have reportedly threatened to begin releasing patient data by Monday if no ransom is paid.

The Government has repeatedly insisted no ransom will be paid following the attack which shut down the HSEs IT systems nearly one week ago.

Bloomberg reports that an online message sent by the hackers yesterday warned that they will “start to sell and publish your data” on Monday May 24th.

The Health Minister this morning confirmed that samples of data stolen during the attack, “does appear to have been displayed on the Darknet.”

The 27 files linked to 12 patients were offered on the Darknet as ‘samples’ to prove the hackers had access to private patient information.

The Government has repeatedly insisted it will not be paying any ransom to the hackers and the HSE is now working to rebuild its systems from backup files.

At a briefing this afternoon, HSE chief Paul Reid said the State response to the attack has been “immediate and comprehensive.”