Victim of ‘predatory’ rape says ‘healing’ can begin after attacker refused appeal against sentence, Noonan a Nasty piece of Work, a Convicted Rapist.

Ciara Mangan pictured leaving the Criminal Courts of Justice after the court of appeal hearing of Shane Noonan.

‘Two years ago, I thought that I got my justice, and the justice system put a question mark over that for the last 22 months. So, today, I got justice,’ said Ciara Mangan.

6.09pm, 7 Apr 2025

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A 30-YEAR-OLD woman who was subjected to “a predatory, violent rape” by a young man at a party when she was just 18 has said that her “healing is going to begin now” after her attacker was refused an appeal against a seven-year sentence.  

“Two years ago, I thought that I got my justice, and the justice system put a question mark over that for the last 22 months. So, today, I got justice,” said Ciara Mangan on the steps of the Criminal Courts of Justice today.

It’s after the Court of Appeal ruled that the seven-year sentence was appropriate for Shane Noonan (30), who raped Ms Mangan almost 12 years ago.   

Noonan, of Castlehilll Park, Turlough Road, Castlebar, Co Mayo, pleaded guilty to the rape of Ms Mangan at an address in Castlebar, Co Mayo, on 11 May, 2013. 

At his sentencing in July 2023, Ms Mangan, who waived her anonymity, gave evidence of how she felt unwell after being handed an open can of cider at the party.

She said Noonan had made a “beeline” for her and guided her into an upstairs bathroom where he raped her.  

“I was easy prey, extremely vulnerable and defenceless. My control was taken from me. I stood no chance,” she said.

She told the court how Noonan walked out and left her alone on the floor afterwards.  

“The absolute disregard for my life is unforgivable,” she said, adding: “I was left to choke on my own vomit that night and am lucky to still be alive.”  

Noonan and Ms Mangan were both aged 18 at the time and were co-workers at a fast food restaurant.

In the aftermath of the rape, Ms Mangan said she was subjected to “rape comments” and “rape songs” by colleagues in her then-workplace when the owner was absent.  

“I get very distressed and emotional thinking about this abuse on top of what had happened to me,” she said. “To say this was absolute hell on earth is putting it lightly.”  

Noonan was sentenced by Ms Justice Eileen Creedon to eight years in prison, with the final 12 months suspended.  

Shane Noonan i

In appealing that sentence at the Court of Appeal today, counsel for Noonan, Damien Colgan SC said that the headline sentence of ten years which was set by Judge Creedon “was a bit too high”, considering the passage of time in respect of the offending and the fact that the appellant had no previous convictions.