Courts / Louth / Report
Lisa Smith described State witness as 'selfish jihadi', trial hears
Summary
Lisa Smith, a former Irish soldier aged 39 from Dundalk, denies membership in the Islamic State and denies extremist views. She told Gardaí that a prosecution witness, Carol Karimah Duffy, taught her false information about Islam, including Osama bin Laden and Sharia law, and that Duffy called her a "selfish jihadi." Smith said she was initially taught that Islam was "spread by the sword" and that nationalism was forbidden, but later learned the opposite from an American convert, John Georgelas. Smith also denied a prosecution witness, Tania Joya, who claimed she wanted to become a martyr. She explained that she had received €25,000 in compensation after a car crash and withdrew money for home improvements and a flight to Turkey, and that she had no extremist views now. The trial is before Mr Justice Tony Hunt in a non‑jury court. Lisa Smith pleaded not guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Lisa Smith described State witness as 'selfish jihadi', trial hears. 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 Other
- October 28th, 2015 Other
- December 1st, 2019 Other
- May 6th, 2015 Incident
- December 1, 2019 Incident
- February 2015 Other
- 18 September 2015 Other
- 2022-02-07 Publication
Why: She added: "She made me hate Islam at the beginning and I wanted to leave but I couldn't because I love god. 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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