Courts / Mayo / Report
Victim of 'predatory' rape says 22-month wait on sentence appeal put 'question mark' over justice
Summary
The Court of Appeal has dismissed the appeal by Shane Noonan against his sentence for the rape of Ciara Mangan. The offence occurred at an address in Castlebar, Co Mayo, on May 11, 2013. Noonan, who was 18 at the time, pleaded guilty to the charge. At his sentencing in July 2023, Ms Justice Eileen Creedon imposed a headline sentence of eight years in prison, with the final 12 months suspended, resulting in an effective custody period of seven years. In his appeal, counsel for Noonan argued that the sentence was too high given his lack of prior convictions and the late entry of his guilty plea. However, the Director of Public Prosecutions contended that the plea was entered on the day of the trial and that the suspension period appropriately reflected mitigating factors. Mr Justice Michael McGrath, delivering the judgment, stated that Noonan's culpability was high and the harm to the victim was great. Consequently, the court ruled that the sentence was appropriate in the circumstances and dismissed the appeal. Ms Mangan, who waived her anonymity, stated that the 22-month wait for the appeal decision had delayed her healing, but she expressed relief that the process had finally concluded.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Victim of 'predatory' rape says 22-month wait on sentence appeal put 'question mark' over justice. Charges or matters: the rape of Ms Mangan at an address in Castlebar, Co Mayo, on May 11, 2013. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- May 11, 2013 Other
- July 2023 Other
- 2025-04-07 Publication
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: the rape of Ms Mangan at an address in Castlebar, Co Mayo, on May 11, 2013 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: So, today, I got justice," said Ciara Mangan on the steps of the Criminal Courts of Justice today, 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. 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.
Defendant
Charges: the rape of Ms Mangan at an address in Castlebar, Co Mayo, on May 11, 2013 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: 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.
Places mentioned
- Court of Appeal
Topics
Related court reports
- Defilement conviction quashed as court finds judge 'crossed a line'
- Man admits Mayo claw hammer attack
- West of Ireland couple sentenced after children found living in squalor
- 'I hold no ill will': Daughter of Mayo woman killed by truck addresses driver
- Mayo jury returns insanity verdict in telecoms damage case
- Co Mayo man on trial charged with spate of telecom vandalism offences
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request