Witnesses in US and Australia will not have to travel to Ireland in case of Lisa Smith

Ms Smith's defence had objected to the application, pointing to difficulties with video-link evidence in the trial of Aaron Brady, writes Paul Neilan.

Lisa Smith is charged with membership of Islamic State (IS). Picture: PA

International witnesses in the case of former Defence Forces member Lisa Smith, accused of membership of Islamic State (IS), will not be forced to travel to Ireland due to the Covid pandemic, the Special Criminal Court has ruled.

Today at the three-judge court, presiding judge Mr Justice Tony Hunt said the court would allow evidence to be called from three witnesses in the case by video-link, as it was either "undesirable or not possible" for them to travel to Ireland. Two of the witnesses are in Australia, while another is in the US.