Courts / Louth / Report
Lisa Smith not guilty of financing terrorism
Summary
Former Irish soldier Lisa Smith, aged 39, was found not guilty by the Special Criminal Court of financing terrorism. The court, a three‑judge panel, delivered its judgment on the charge that she sent €800 via Western Union to a named man on 6 May 2015, an act alleged to have supported the Islamic State. Judge Tony Hunt noted it was reasonably possible that Ms Smith intended the money for humanitarian purposes rather than for the benefit of a terrorist organisation. Ms Smith had pleaded not guilty to membership of the Islamic State, a charge relating to her presence in Syria between 28 October 2015 and 1 December 2019. She denied joining the organisation, claiming she travelled to Syria out of a religious obligation to live within the Islamic State announced by Abu Bakr al‑Baghdadi in 2014. The court is still delivering its verdict on the membership charge.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Lisa Smith not guilty of financing terrorism. 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: finding. Findings: Acquitted
When:
- October 28th, 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
- December 1st, 2019 Other
- May 6th, 2015 Other
- December 2019 Other
- 2022-05-30 Publication
Why: In numerous interviews with gardai after she returned to Ireland in December 2019, she said repeatedly that she travelled to Syria because she believed she had a religious obligation to live inside the Islamic State that was announced by terrorist leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in 2014. 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
Finding: Acquitted
Outcome: Acquitted
Places mentioned
Topics
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