“But if there is a direct request for money we will not be paying any ransom,” she said. The crime gang is seeking a ransom of $20 million to be paid in bitcoin. Both the HSE and Government have repeatedly stated no ransom would be paid. Gardaí believe they were shared publicly to increase the pressure on the HSE to pay the ransom; a tactic ransom gangs use. Bloomberg has reported the latest messages to the HSE from the gang stated they “will start to sell and publish your data” next Monday.

Source: The Irish Times May 20, 2021 10:50 UTC