Lisa Smith convicted of Islamic State membership

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

Lisa Smith was convicted of membership of Islamic State at the Special Criminal Court; the verdict was reported on 11 July 2022.

The court rejected her explanation that religious obligation and a wish to raise a family had led her to Syria. It found the prosecution had proved beyond reasonable doubt that her travel and pledge reflected agreement with the organisation’s views.

Smith was acquitted of financing terrorism. The court found it reasonably possible that the €800 transfer was for the recipient’s personal use or humanitarian reasons.

At a sentencing hearing reported on 11 July 2022, her lawyer asked the court not to impose prison, citing her child, psychological reports, time in Syrian camps and bail restrictions.