Lisa Smith has been arrested on suspicion of terrorist offences following her arrival back in Ireland this morning.

Ms Smith and her two-year-old daughter were on board a Turkish Airlines commercial flight that landed at Dublin airport shortly after 10am.

The 38-year-old former Irish Defence Forces left more than three years ago to join the so-called Islamic State group in Syria.

She and her daughter were transferred to Turkish custody following the bombing of the Ain Issa displacement camp in north-east Syria in recent weeks.

She has now been deported from Turkey and was arrested by gardaí following her arrival on Irish soil.

Ms Smith is currently detained at Kevin Street garda station under Section 30 of the Offences against the State Act where she can be held for up to three days.

Her daughter is in the care of relatives.

Government officials said they could not comment as a person is in custody and that it was time to leave the matter to gardaí.

In a statement, gardaí said: "An Garda Síochána has arrested an Irish Citizen (38 year old female) on suspicion of terrorist offences following her deportation from Turkey.

"She is currently being detained at a South Dublin Garda station under the provisions of Section 30 of the Offences against the State Act, 1939 as amended.

"A child, also an Irish citizen, was in the company of the female and is now being cared for by relatives."

Tánaiste Simon Coveney said this is a complex, consular, case with the primary concern of ensuring the safety of a two-year-old girl.

Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan also confirmed Ms Smith had been met by gardaí at Dublin Airport this morning, and that established procedures for the care of her child will now be followed.

Minister Flanagan said: “An Garda Síochána and the Director of Public Prosecutions are responsible for criminal investigations based on facts and evidence in all cases and it would not be appropriate for me to comment on those matters.

"This is a sensitive case and I want to reassure people that all relevant State agencies are closely involved."

'I think Lisa will be quite surprised'

Journalist Norma Costello, who has previously interviewed Ms Smith, earlier confirmed that the Dundalk woman would be arrested and questioned.

She told Newstalk Breakfast with Susan Keogh: "She will be detained - we're not sure for how long.

"A file will be sent to the DPP, and then what they decide will determine what happens next.

"I think Lisa will actually be quite surprised by this turnaround, because when I interviewed her twice in Syria Lisa had no idea that there was any chance she could get arrested for this."

Speaking yesterday, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said Ms Smith's daughter will be protected on arrival in Ireland.

He added: "In relation to Lisa Smith, the gardaí are going to want to speak to her.

"They may be in a position to charge her and if they do, then prosecution may follow."