Courts / Louth / Report
Evidence against Lisa Smith 'falls short', defence say in closing speech
Summary
The Special Criminal Court heard the closing speech of Lisa Smith's defence barrister, Michael O'Higgins SC, on 30 March 2022. O'Higgins argued that the prosecution's evidence was insufficient to prove Smith's membership in the Islamic State. He criticised Dr Florence Gaub's expert report, claiming it relied on flawed methodology and made unsupported claims that all travellers to ISIS territory were members and that westerners received preferential treatment. O'Higgins highlighted that Smith had travelled to Syria in 2015 after the call for Muslims to join the caliphate, but she pleaded not guilty to membership and to financing terrorism for €800 sent in 2015. He contended that the €800 was intended for personal use, not for a terrorist organisation, and that Smith had no intent to assist ISIS. The judges had not yet delivered a verdict, and the case would be revisited next Thursday. The defence maintained that Smith's actions did not meet the legal threshold for membership or financing terrorism.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Evidence against Lisa Smith 'falls short', defence say 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
- 2022-03-30 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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