Lisa Smith released on strict bail terms

DUNDALK woman Lisa Smith, who is facing trial accused of ISIS membership, has been granted bail with strict conditions including an internet and social media ban.

The former soldier, who left Ireland and married after she converted to Islam, had been found in a Syrian refugee camp, and after a trek to Turkey with her daughter, aged two, she was brought back to Ireland on December 1 last. However, on arrival she was arrested and questioned for three days before she was charged with being a member of ISIS

She had bail refused on December 4 at Dublin District Court, and she had been held at Limerick Prison since then. Family members have been caring for her child. She brought a renewed bail application to the High Court in Cloverhill on Thursday last.

She will be able to take up bail and must comply with a litany of conditions once she had lodged €500 and a further €1,000 is put forward by an independent surety.

Special Detective Unit Sgt Gareth Kane had objected to bail citing the seriousness of the case and possible flight risk.

Michael O’Higgins SC for Ms Smith and Emmett Nolan BL for the State agreed with the order and to ban the media from publishing her address.

Wearing a grey overcoat and a black hi-jab with her face visible, Smith sat behind a glass barrier for most of the bail hearing. Visibly upset, she got into the witness box and after swearing on the Koran, she pleaded for bail to be with her child. She agreed with Mr O’Higgins that she would comply any order made by the court.

Mr O’Higgins submitted that risk of flight was low. ‘She has a child here, her immediate concern is for her child, and this is a very strong anchor.’

In his ruling, Mr Justice Eagar said Ms Smith was accused of membership of a terrorist organisation. It was serious offence that could result in an eight-year sentence, he said. However, he continued, she was entitled to the presumption of innocence and the presumption of bail, which precedent states must be granted in most cases.

The judge ordered she must reside at an address in the north east, and sign on at a Garda station twice daily from 10am – 1pm and 3pm – 6pm. She was ordered to obey a curfew. Mr Justice Eagar told her she would have to remain indoors from 8pm and not leave until 7am.

He told her she cannot leave the jurisdiction or apply for new travel documentation, having already lost her passport. She must provide gardai with a contact mobile phone number within 48 hours of taking up bail. The judge warned her that she must answer the phone if rung by gardai and if she failed to do so it would be a breach of bail. He also banned her from accessing the internet or using any social media and the final condition was that she must not have contact with non- Garda witnesses in the case.

She appears again on January 8 at Dublin District Court.