Courts / Louth / Report
Government 'a shower of bastards', IS accused told fellow soldier
Summary
Lisa Smith, a former Defence Forces member from Dundalk, Co Louth, pleaded not guilty to three charges at the Special Criminal Court. She is accused of membership of an unlawful terrorist group, Islamic State, between October 28th, 2015, and December 1st, 2019; financing terrorism by sending €800 via Western Union to a named man on May 6th, 2015; and taking part in preparations for an incursion into the Philippines to promote hostile activities. The trial, presided over by Mr Justice Tony Hunt, heard testimony from Pat Reilly, a former Irish Air Corps member, who stated that Smith made anti-western remarks and promoted Islam during a 2011 guard duty. Reilly also noted that Smith was described by a superior officer as "industrious, hard-working and reliable." The court further heard from Australian Federal Police agents regarding a counter-terrorism investigation into Robert Edward Cerantonio. Cerantonio, who is not the defendant in this Irish case, pleaded guilty to taking part in preparations for an incursion into the Philippines to promote hostile activities. He was sentenced in May 2019 at the Supreme Court of Victoria to seven years imprisonment with a minimum time to be served of five years and three months. Legal argument regarding the admissibility of the Australian officers' evidence is scheduled for the following day. The trial continues.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Government 'a shower of bastards', IS accused told fellow soldier. 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; taking part in preparations for an incursion into the Philippines to promote hostile activities. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- October 28th, 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
- December 1st, 2019 Hearing Or Sentence
- May 6th, 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
- 12 February 2011 Hearing Or Sentence
- November 2010 Hearing Or Sentence
- May 2016 Incident
- May 2019 Incident
- 1991 to 2013 Other
- 2022-02-28 Publication
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; taking part in preparations for an incursion into the Philippines to promote hostile activities (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Outcome: He was sentenced in May 2019 at the Supreme Court of Victoria to seven years imprisonment with a minimum time to be served of five years and three months.
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