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ISIS accused told gardai that prophecies about 'caliphate' had come true
Summary
Lisa Smith, a 39‑year‑old former Irish soldier from Dundalk, was arrested in December 2019 on suspicion of membership in the Islamic State and of financing terrorism. She told Gardaí that she had moved to Syria to help build a caliphate, believing that Muslims should live under Islam and that the return of the caliphate would precede the return of Jesus and the day of judgement. Smith said she had travelled to Syria with doctors, lawyers, engineers and brain surgeons, all working to build the caliphate. She pleaded not guilty to membership of an unlawful terrorist group between 28 October 2015 and 1 December 2019, and to financing terrorism by sending €800 to a named man on 6 May 2015. The case is being heard by Mr Justice Tony Hunt, Judge Gerard Griffin and Judge Cormac Dunne in a non‑jury court.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: ISIS accused told gardai that prophecies about 'caliphate' had come true. 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:
- December 2019 Incident
- October 28th, 2015 Other
- December 1st, 2019 Other
- May 6th, 2015 Incident
- December 1, 2019 Incident
- April 2011 Other
- September 2013 Other
- 2022-02-01 Publication
Why: She learned that for Muslims there are no nations and nationalism is not allowed because "it's god you should be fighting for or working for, it's not for any race, colour or tribe. 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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