Ireland

Alleged IS member Lisa Smith sent forward for trial at non-jury criminal court

Lisa Smith (38), from Co Louth is to be tried at Dublin's Special Criminal Court
Lisa Smith (38), from Co Louth is to be tried at Dublin's Special Criminal Court Lisa Smith (38), from Co Louth is to be tried at Dublin's Special Criminal Court

An alleged member of so-called Islamic State from the Republic has been sent forward for trial to the non-jury Special Criminal court.

Lisa Smith (38), from Co Louth, has been charged with the membership of an unlawful organisation under 2005 terror legislation and terrorist financing.

At Dublin District Court last Friday she was further charged with providing financial assistance to another in the sum of 800 euro under Section 13 of the Terrorist Offences Act.

This offence is alleged to have happened within the Irish state in 2015.

She is denying the allegations.

The state solicitor said the charges were non-scheduled offences and it was the opinion of the Director of Public Prosecution that the ordinary courts "were inadequate to secure the effective administration of justice" in this trial.

Alleged IS member Lisa Smith leaving Dublin District Court with her solicitor Peter Corrigan following an earlier hearing. Picture by Brian Lawless, Press Association
Alleged IS member Lisa Smith leaving Dublin District Court with her solicitor Peter Corrigan following an earlier hearing. Picture by Brian Lawless, Press Association Alleged IS member Lisa Smith leaving Dublin District Court with her solicitor Peter Corrigan following an earlier hearing. Picture by Brian Lawless, Press Association

The 38-year-old, who is a former member of the Irish Defence Forces, appeared at Dublin District Court today.

Smith was in court to be served the book of evidence which was in a stack of thick volumes of documents.

Smith, who wore an Islamic dress and hijab with her face uncovered in court, sat silently throughout her brief appearance.

Smith was arrested at Dublin Airport in 2019 on suspicion of terrorist offences after returning from Turkey in November with her young daughter.

She had travelled to Syria a number of years ago after she converted to Islam.

Smith is charged that under Section Six of the Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Act 2005 which makes it an offence to join a foreign unlawful organisation.

It is alleged that between October 28, 2015 and December 1 2019 at a location outside the State, she was a member of a terrorist group styling itself the Islamic State.

The charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, the court heard.

Smith's defence solicitor Peter Corrigan said Smith told the court his client was never a member of an illegal organisation.

"The current available evidence points to the defendant not being part of any illegal groups," he told the court

Judge Marie Quirke told Smith she has 14 days to come up with names and addresses of people who would be able to prove she was not in the areas where the alleged offences occurred.

The Special Criminal Court, where Smith's trial will take place, is a three-judge criminal court that deals with terrorist and organised crime cases.

The court has no jury in order to avoid any potential intimidation of jury members, which has led to criticism from human rights groups.

Mr Corrigan said there would be a challenge in relation to his client being sent for trial at the Special Criminal Court

Mr Corrigan previously said the decision to try the case in the Special Criminal Court denies Smith of her fundamental right to a jury trial.

A further application of legal aid was granted to Smith.