Court of Appeal upholds Lisa Smith's conviction for Islamic State membership
Lisa Smith, a 44-year-old Irish former soldier, was charged with membership of the Islamic State between October 2015 and December 2019 after voluntarily travelling to IS-controlled territory. She pleaded not guilty but was convicted in 2022 by the Special Criminal Court, becoming the first person convicted in an Irish court of an Islamic terrorist offence committed abroad, and was sentenced to 15 months. The Court of Appeal dismissed her appeal on 6 October 2026, with Mr Justice John Edwards ruling that voluntary travel to IS-controlled territory was capable of constituting sufficient acts of participation without proof of combat or operational acts.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court6 Oct
- Convicted6 Oct
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Lisa Smith, a 44-year-old Irish former soldier, was charged with membership of the unlawful terrorist group Islamic State.
- When
- The alleged period of membership was between 28 October 2015 and 1 December 2019.
- Where
- The offence was committed abroad in Islamic State-controlled territory and the case was heard in Louth.
- Cause
- Smith voluntarily travelled to Islamic State-controlled territory.
- Charges
- Smith pleaded not guilty to membership of an unlawful terrorist group.
- In court
- In 2022 the three-judge, non-jury Special Criminal Court convicted Smith, making her the first person convicted in an Irish court of an Islamic terrorist offence committed abroad.
- The Court of Appeal dismissed Smith's appeal; key facts date the rejection to 2023 while articles dated 6 October 2026 describe the judgment being delivered that day.
- Sentence
- Smith was sentenced to 15 months.
- Other details
- Mr Justice John Edwards ruled that voluntary travel to IS-controlled territory was capable of constituting sufficient acts of participation and that membership did not require proof of combat, military activity, or operational acts such as fundraising, training, or dissemination of propaganda.
5 statements extracted from the articles
- chargeSmith pleaded not guilty to membership of an unlawful terrorist group, Islamic State, between October 28, 2015 and December 1, 2019. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeSmith pleaded not guilty to membership of the unlawful terrorist group between 28 October 2015 and 1 December 2019. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe court rejected all grounds raised by Smith and dismissed her appeal. (irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
- courtSmith's bid to overturn her 15-month sentence was rejected by the Court of Appeal in 2023. (irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
- otherIn 2022, Smith became the first person convicted in an Irish court of an Islamic terrorist offence committed abroad. (irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 6 Oct2026Court of Appeal upholds Lisa Smith’s conviction for Islamic State membership
Court of Appeal dismissed Lisa Smith's conviction appeal, upholding her 2022 Special Criminal Court conviction for Islamic State membership and her 15-month sentence. Judge John Edwards held that voluntary travel to IS-controlled territory constituted sufficient acts of participation without proof of combat or operational acts.
convicted, Lisa Smith, 44, female, Irish, named, irishLisa Smith - 6 Oct2026Court upholds Lisa Smith’s conviction for membership of terrorist group ISIS
The Court of Appeal dismissed Smith's appeal, with Mr Justice John Edwards ruling that her voluntary travel to Islamic State-controlled territory was capable of constituting sufficient acts of participation and that membership did not require proof of combat, military activity, or operational acts. Her 15-month sentence from 2022 stands.
convicted, Lisa Smith, 44, female, Irish, named, irishLisa Smith