'I was ready to die a martyr'

Syria move to answer call of terrorist chief, court told

- EOIN REYNOLD

LISA Smith allegedly said she wanted to live under Sharia law, and was ready to "die a martyr", a court heard yesterday.

The Special Criminal Court trial was also told the former Defence Forces member had "enveloped herself in the black flag of Isis” having travelled to Syria to "answer the call” from a terrorist leader.

Smith, 39, has pleaded not guilty to membership of an unlawful terrorist group, Islamic State, between 2015 and 2019.

• Trial opens of alleged recruit to terror group

• Counsel tells of her journey to IS caliphate'

LISA Smith "enveloped herself in the black flag of Isis" and divorced her husband after he refused to swear allegiance to the terror group, the Special Criminal Court heard yesterday.

Opening her trial, prosecution lawyer Sean Gillane said the former Defence Forces member had travelled to Syria to "answer the call” from terrorist leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.

He added that Al-Baghdadi was the leader of Isis, a terrorist organisation that had seized control over a large part of Iraq and Syria and in 2014 declared a caliphate.

Mr Gillane said the terrorist group couldn't survive without those who chose to “make hijrah” - make the journey - to Syria and Iraq.

He said Isis needed fighters and others who could give “sustenance and vitality” to the group and Ms Smith had "addressed, assessed and answered the call to emigrate”.