Courts / Louth / Report
Lisa Smith 'prepared to die a martyr', trial to hear
Summary
Lisa Smith, a 39‑year‑old former Irish Defence Forces member, pleaded not guilty to membership of the Islamic State and to financing terrorism. She travelled to Syria in 2015, claiming to have "made hijrah" and to have expressed a desire to live under Sharia law and to die a martyr. Smith married a UK national in Syria, who had served on the Iraq border, and she remained in ISIS‑controlled territory until the fall of Baghouz in 2019. She returned to Ireland, was arrested and interviewed eleven times, and denied any membership or support for the terrorist organisation. The Special Criminal Court will consider her statements, conduct and alleged allegiance to ISIS as evidence of membership. The trial continues tomorrow before a three‑judge panel.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Lisa Smith 'prepared to die a martyr', trial to hear. Charges or matters: membership of an unlawful terrorist group, Islamic State, between October 28th, 2015 and December 1st, 2019; financing terrorism by sending €800 in assistance, via a Western Union money transfer, to a named man on May 6th, 2015. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- October 28th, 2015 Other
- December 1st, 2019 Other
- May 6th, 2015 Other
- June 2015 Other
- May 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
- October 2015 Other
- February 2017 Other
- June 2017 Other
- March 2019 Incident
- 2001 until 2011 Other
- 2022-01-25 Publication
Why: She applied for discharge, Mr Gillane said, because of inconsistencies between her faith and her professional role in the army. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: membership of an unlawful terrorist group, Islamic State, between October 28th, 2015 and December 1st, 2019; financing terrorism by sending €800 in assistance, via a Western Union money transfer, to a named man on May 6th, 2015 (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Places mentioned
Topics
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