Lisa Smith's Islamic State membership conviction appeal heard at Court of Appeal
Lisa Smith, a 43-year-old former soldier, was convicted by a three-judge Special Criminal Court in Louth of membership of Islamic State, an unlawful terrorist group, after the court found she joined the group when she travelled to Syria in 2015. The alleged membership period ran from October 28, 2015 to December 1, 2019, and she was sentenced to 15 months. In 2022, Smith became the first person convicted in an Irish court of an Islamic terrorist offence committed abroad. Her appeal against the sentence was refused, and on the third day of her appeal against conviction at the Court of Appeal in May 2025, Mr Justice John Edwards reserved judgment.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court9 May
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Lisa Smith, a 43-year-old former soldier, was convicted of membership of Islamic State, an unlawful terrorist group.
- When
- The alleged membership period ran from October 28, 2015 to December 1, 2019, after Smith travelled to Syria in 2015.
- Where
- The offence was committed in Syria and the case was heard in Louth.
- Charges
- Smith pleaded not guilty to membership of Islamic State between October 28, 2015 and December 1, 2019.
- In court
- A three-judge, non-jury Special Criminal Court found that Smith joined Islamic State when she travelled to Syria in 2015.
- Smith's appeal against the 15-month sentence was refused and she lodged an appeal against her conviction.
- On the third day of her appeal at the Court of Appeal in May 2025, Mr Justice John Edwards reserved judgment.
- Sentence
- Smith was sentenced to 15 months.
- Other details
- In 2022, Smith became the first person convicted in an Irish court of an Islamic terrorist offence committed abroad.
- The DPP argued the conviction was safe and sound, citing Smith's text messages, social media, and witness testimony, while the defence argued there was no evidence of active contribution to Islamic State's state-building project.
- Tania Joya Choudhury, who was with Smith in Syria in 2013 and travelled over the border with her from Egypt, testified that Smith said she would fight because she had training.
- A photograph taken in January 2013 shows Smith on a horse giving a one-finger salute.
9 statements extracted from the articles
- chargeSmith pleaded not guilty to membership of Islamic State between October 28, 2015 and December 1, 2019. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe three-judge, non-jury Special Criminal Court found she joined Isis when she travelled to Syria in 2015. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe hearing was on the third day of her appeal at the Court of Appeal. (irishtimes.com)
- courtMr Justice John Edwards said the court would reserve judgment. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceSmith was refused an appeal against a 15-month sentence and has now lodged an appeal against her conviction. (irishtimes.com)
- otherIn 2022, Smith became the first person convicted in an Irish court of an Islamic terrorist offence committed abroad. (irishtimes.com)
- otherTania Joya Choudhury was present with Smith in Syria in 2013 and travelled over the border with her from Egypt. (irishtimes.com)
- otherChoudhury testified that Smith said she would fight because she had training. (irishtimes.com)
- otherA photograph of Smith taken in January 2013 shows her on a horse giving a one-finger salute. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 9 May2025Lisa Smith’s conviction for Islamic State membership should be upheld, court told
Third day of Lisa Smith's appeal hearing at the Court of Appeal. The State (DPP) argued the conviction was safe and sound, citing evidence from Smith's own text messages, social media, and witness testimony. Defence argued no evidence of active contribution to Islamic State's 'state-building project'. Mr Justice John Edwards reserved judgment.
convicted, Lisa Smith, 43, female, named, irish (judged from name)Lisa Smith