Courts / Louth / Report
Islamic State member Lisa Smith to file appeal submissions
Summary
Lisa Smith, a 42‑year‑old former soldier from Dundalk, Co. Louth, is preparing to file appeal submissions against her conviction for membership of the terrorist group Islamic State. The appeal will be heard on the Court of Appeal list scheduled for July 22. Smith was first convicted in 2022 by the Special Criminal Court for travelling to Syria in 2015 and joining ISIS, and was sentenced to 15 months' imprisonment. She pleaded not guilty to the offence of membership of an unlawful terrorist group between 28 October 2015 and 1 December 2019. The Court of Appeal rejected her earlier bid to overturn the sentence, finding the trial judges had acted fairly and with appropriate regard to the evidence. Smith's lawyers now seek to appeal the conviction itself. The court noted that her travel to Syria was an overt expression of support for ISIS, a group that challenges democratic values and commits crimes against humanity.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Islamic State member Lisa Smith to file appeal submissions. Charges or matters: membership of an unlawful terrorist group, Islamic State, between October 28th, 2015 and December 1st, 2019. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- July 22nd Adjournment
- October 28th, 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
- December 1st, 2019 Hearing Or Sentence
- October 2022 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2024-05-13 Publication
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: membership of an unlawful terrorist group, Islamic State, between October 28th, 2015 and December 1st, 2019 (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Appellant
Charges: membership of an unlawful terrorist group, Islamic State, between October 28th, 2015 and December 1st, 2019 (Alleged Or Contested)
Outcome: In March last year, the Court of Appeal rejected Smith's bid to overturn her 15-month sentence, finding that the judges of the SCC who tried, convicted and sentenced her had shown "scrupulous fairness and appropriate regard to the evidence".
Places mentioned
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