'Anonymous' hackers threaten Dáil system takedown on May 5 The Irish Government says it has “several security systems” in place to deal with an anonymous hacking group threatening to infiltrate the Dail’s IT system.

A message to the Irish government, posted on the ‘Annonymous Ireland expect us’ Facebook page, says it plans to “take down” the encrypted IT systems next month. It claims it will then steal highly sensitive information and distribute it to the public free of charge. The threatening post says the group’s target is “Dail Eireann”, while warning that “All Dail’s information will be free to you.” The alleged hacking activity is due to take place on May 5. The grouping warns it will “take all your information and give it free to the public.” “2nd of May is your last warning Irish Government expect us,” the message read. Last night, a Government spokesperson insisted that robust security systems are in place to deal with any potential security breach. “The Oireachtas Service is aware of a publicised threat to its ICT network,” said Verona Ni Bhroin, Houses of the Oireachtas PRO. It uses “several security systems and features to protect its ICT systems,” she told the Irish Independent. Last October, a two-minute video, purportedly made by online hacking Anonymous, accused the Government of stealing and using threats, in order to force the introduction of water charges. The video, entitled ‘#Anonymous message to the Republic of Ireland – Truth behind Irish Water charges’, was addressed to the “citizens of the Republic of Ireland.” A masked individual could be seen in the YouTube video, accusing the Government of stealing and using “extreme threats” to force the payment of water bills. The supposed “threats” included fines and cutting off water supply, it claimed. The message continued: “As of the 1st of October 2014 the Irish government has embarked on an accelerated water metering programme to have them installed in 80 per cent of homes by 2016. “It is with great sadness and frustration to know that your crooked government is attempting to steal from you once again by charging you for the service of water being brought to your homes. “The government and Irish Water have been using extreme threats to force you to pay your water bills come January out of fear of billing fines and the cut-off of water supply to your household. “Anonymous have been watching. Your government is lying to you. It is not against the Irish law to refuse signing with Irish Water. “You are under no legal obligation to enter into a treaty with any private company against your will. It would run contrary to the constitution, Irish consumer law and European law and would therefore be completely unenforceable as no records containing such law are in existence. “Your meter is not your contract. You will not be made to sign anything. You, as a human, have the right to stand for a natural human resource. You should not be stripped of money to pay for water filled with neurotoxins. “The Republic of Ireland must rise as a nation and keep holding the fight for their access to free healthy water. The government are gaining fear as the power are in the hands of the public. Grab it and own it. “We are Anonymous. We do not forgive. We do not forget. Expect us.”