Special Criminal Court to rule next week whether Islamic State member Lisa Smith will stand trial

The Special Criminal Court will rule next week whether alleged Islamic State member Lisa Smith will stand trial.

The former Defence Force soldier has pleaded not guilty to charges of membership of a terror organisation and financing terrorism.

She had been due to go on trial at the non-jury court last ​week, but this was postponed after her lawyers made an application to have the charges dropped.

They have argued that there is not enough evidence to bring a prosecution against Ms Smith.

The application was brought under Section 4E of the Criminal Procedure Act.

It allows for the trial court to dismiss charges if it finds that there is an insufficient case against the accused.

Over the past three days the non-jury court has been hearing submissions from Ms Smith’s lawyers and the prosecution.

Mr Justice Tony Hunt, presiding, today adjourned the matter to Monday for judgement on the application.

Details of the proceedings cannot be published under the act.

Ms Smith (39) is charged with membership of an unlawful terrorist group, the Islamic State, between October 28, 2015, and December 1, 2019.

The accused, with an address in Dundalk, Co Louth, is also charged with financing terrorism by sending €800 in assistance, via a Western Union money transfer, to a named man on May 6, 2015.

The former soldier has pleaded not guilty to both charges and her trial at the non-jury court, if it proceeds, is expected to last 12 weeks.

Ms Smith joined the Defence Forces after leaving school in 2000 and served with the Air Corps.

She later converted to Islam and left Ireland in 2015.

Source: Independent