Motheraccusedofis membership faces new terrorism charge
AN alleged member of so-called Islamic State from Ireland is facing an additional charge of terrorist financing, a court has heard.
Lisa Smith, from Co Louth, has already been charged with membership of an unlawful organisation under 2005 terror legislation.
She is now also accused of providing financial assistance under Ireland’s Terrorist Offences Act.
The Co Louth mother-of-one, who is facing trial at the non-jury Special Criminal Court in Dublin, had her case adjourned for another week for the service of a book of evidence.
Ms Smith (38), who left Ireland and married after converting to Islam, was returned from Turkey last December after spending time in a Syrian refugee camp.
She is charged with being a member of a terrorist group outside the state between October 28, 2015 and December 1 last year.
The charge alleges she was
“a member of a terrorist group styling itself the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) also known as Dawlat al-iraq al-islamiyya, Islamic State of Iraq (ISI), Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and Dawlat al Islamiya fi Iraq wa al Sham, otherwise known as ‘Da’esh’ and the Islamic State in Iraq and Sham.
At Dublin District Court yesterday, she was further charged with providing financial assistance to another in the sum of €800, under Section 13 of the Terrorist Offences Act. This offence is alleged to have happened within the state in 2015.
She denies the allegations.
State solicitor Jonathan Antoniotti said directions were for trial on indictment and it was intended to serve the book of evidence yesterday. A certificate for the trial venue had been issued, with the consent of Ireland’s Director of Public Prosecutions and the Irish attorney general.
However, he said, it appeared that the accused’s bail surety was not present and this would be needed before a new bond could be entered.
Defence solicitor Peter Corrigan said he was also seeking an adjournment because Ms Smith “has been denied now her fundamental right to a jury trial” and he would be seeking to challenge “the validity of the certificate that has been issued.”
He said the defence had just been notified of the transfer of the case to the Special Criminal Court.
The judge extended the time required for the service of the book of evidence and adjourned the case to July 31. Ms Smith stood at the side of the court holding the charge sheet and was not required to speak.