Courts / Louth / Report
Court will consider verdicts in Lisa Smith trial
Summary
The Special Criminal Court has decided to consider verdicts in the case of former soldier Lisa Smith, who is charged with membership of the Islamic State and financing terrorism. The court found that there is sufficient evidence to assess whether Ms Smith was a member of Isis and whether she funded the organisation. Her lawyers had requested not‑guilty verdicts on the basis that the prosecution case lacked evidence and that a verdict would be unfair. Mr Justice Tony Hunt rejected this request, stating that the prosecution case could support a conviction without a miscarriage of justice and that the evidence should be weighed during deliberations. He also noted that withdrawing the case at this stage would be an exceptional measure. Regarding the financing charge, the court found enough evidence to consider Ms Smith's intent or knowledge when she sent €800 to a man alleged to be an Isis member. The unnamed accused pleaded not guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Court will consider verdicts in Lisa Smith trial. 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: charge_or_pretrial
When:
- October 28th, 2015 Other
- December 1st, 2019 Other
- May 6th, 2015 Other
- 2022-03-24 Publication
Case subjects
Accused
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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