Courts / Louth / Report
Lawyers ask court not to jail Lisa Smith for Isis membership
Summary
Lawyers for Lisa Smith, a 40‑year‑old former soldier from Dundalk, have asked the Special Criminal Court to consider her young child and the harsh conditions she endured in Syrian camps before sentencing her for membership of the Islamic State. Michael O'Higgins SC cited four psychological reports describing her as "damaged" and "vulnerable," and a study by Dr Anne Speckhard that found she was not likely to reoffend and had sincerely denounced Isis. He noted that Smith had already spent about four years in custody, including time in Al‑Hawl and Ain Issa camps and under a 13‑hour daily curfew since 2019. O'Higgins urged a fully suspended sentence, arguing that the maximum eight‑year term for terrorist membership would be disproportionate given her circumstances. The court adjourned sentencing to 22 July, allowing Smith to remain on bail but warning against false comfort. The case remains a novel one for the court. Lisa Smith pleaded not guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Lawyers ask court not to jail Lisa Smith for Isis membership. Charges or matters: membership of an unlawful terrorist group, Islamic State, between October 28th, 2015 and December 1st, 2019; Isis membership following a trial at the three-judge, non-jury Special Criminal Court earlier this year. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- July 22 Adjournment
- October 28th, 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
- December 1st, 2019 Hearing Or Sentence
- May 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
- December 2019 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2022-07-11 Publication
Why: He said that a person would not gain immunity for arson, assault or murder because he believed he had a religious obligation to persecute witches. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: membership of an unlawful terrorist group, Islamic State, between October 28th, 2015 and December 1st, 2019; Isis membership following a trial at the three-judge, non-jury Special Criminal Court earlier this year (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Outcome: Photo: Collins) Lawyers for former soldier Lisa Smith, who travelled to Syria to join Isis in 2014, have asked that before imposing sentence the Special Criminal Court should consider her young child and the "appalling" conditions they suffered while in Syria. Mr O'Higgins said that Ms Smith already served a custodial sentence in Syria when she was held in the Al-Hawl and Ain Issa camps while she waited to be sent home to Ireland.; Mr Justice Tony Hunt, presiding at the three-judge, non-jury court, adjourned sentencing until July 22.
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