Courts / Louth / Report
Lisa Smith chose to travel to 'demonic' Islamic State, State says in closing speech
Summary
In a three‑judge, non‑jury court, the Director of Public Prosecutions, Sean Gillane SC, argued that Lisa Smith, a former soldier aged 40 from Dundalk, travelled to Syria in 2015 to join the Islamic State, a terrorist organisation under Irish law. He described her journey as an "ultimate act of allegiance" and cited her viewing of violent ISIS videos, her online contact with a named fighter, and her pledge of loyalty to the caliphate. Smith's defence, led by Michael O'Higgins SC, contended that she was a vulnerable, depressed convert who did not intend to fight, and that she had not been a combatant or supporter of ISIS. The prosecution focused on her membership charge and a separate charge of financing terrorism by sending €800 to a named individual in May 2015. The court heard evidence of Smith's social media activity, her travel to Turkey and Syria, and her marriage to a Tunisian fighter. The unnamed accused pleaded not guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Lisa Smith chose to travel to 'demonic' Islamic State, State says in closing speech. 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
- September 2014 Other
- January 2014 Other
- July 2014 Other
- 2022-03-29 Publication
Why: He pointed out that she is not accused of supporting or providing assistance but of actual membership because she supported her husband. CNI source report
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
Related court reports
- Worker sacked over punch-up with takeaway driver wins job back
- Legal first sees miscarriage of justice certificate for IRA membership conviction quashed
- Lorry driver who imported €1m in cannabis jailed for five years
- Explosive device allegedly stored in National Museum at Collins' Barracks
- On-bail home invader who dragged car owner along ground has sentence cut
- Amateur fighter who 'brutally killed' allegedly abusive mother - kicking her to death and stepping on her 'lifeless body' as he left her to die - gets 6.5 years
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request