Lawyers for Isis suspect Lisa Smith to ask for charges against her to be dropped

Dundalk woman charged with being a member of unlawful terrorist group Islamic State (Isis) between October 28, 2015, and December 1, 2019

Lisa Smith arriving at the Special Criminal Court on Tuesday morning. Picture: Collins Courts

Lawyers for Lisa Smith, whose trial for alleged membership of the Islamic State terrorist group was due to begin on Tuesday, will ask the Special Criminal Court to dismiss the charges against her.

Michael O'Higgins SC, for Ms Smith, asked for permission to make an application under Section 9 of the Criminal Justice Act 1999, which states that a court can dismiss the charges against an accused person where there is insufficient evidence. 

Mr Justice Tony Hunt, presiding in the three-judge, non-jury court, agreed to allow the application but will require some days to consider documents submitted by Ms Smith's lawyers. The court will hear the application next Monday.

Any evidence heard during the application cannot be published or broadcast.

Ms Smith, 39, from Dundalk, Co Louth, is charged with an offence contrary to the Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Act 2005 for being a member of unlawful terrorist group Islamic State (Isis) between October 28, 2015, and December 1, 2019. 

She is also charged under the same legislation for financing terrorism by sending €800 in assistance, via a Western Union money transfer, to a named man on May 6, 2015.

Ms Smith appeared in court on Tuesday dressed in a full-length black coat, woolly scarf, hat and gloves and a full face covering.

If the trial goes ahead, it is expected to last 12 weeks.

Mr Justice Tony Hunt is sitting with Judge Gerard Griffin and Judge Cormac Dunne.