'Naive' Lisa Smith tried to justify suicide bombings, trial told

A witness told the court Lisa Smith’s interest in Islam was “more political, not so much Islamic”

Lisa Smith arriving at the Criminal Courts of Justice in Dublin this morning. Carol “Karimah” Duffy, of the Dundalk Muslim Community Mosque, told the court Ms Smith "was more interested in the harsh end of Islam.” Photo: Collins Courts

Former Defence Forces soldier Lisa Smith was interested in the “harsh end of Islam” and tried to justify suicide bombs, the Special Criminal Court has heard.

The 39-year-old, from Co. Louth, has pleaded not guilty to charges of membership of the illegal organisation Islamic State and of providing funds to benefit the group.