Ciara Mangan's life is still on hold, 12 years after she was raped

Ciara Mangan: 'I am going to be supported with other survivors that are coming with me' to the appeal hearing regarding her rapist's sentence. File Picture: Michael Donnelly

When Ciara Mangan was raped at a party in in Mayo almost 12 years ago, she did not realise her life would remain on hold for over a decade.

Even though her rapist, Shane Noonan, of Castlehill Park, Turlough Rd, Castlebar, Co Mayo, pleaded guilty to raping her when they were both 18 at a house party in Castlebar on May 11, 2013, an appeal against his sentence for the attack still has not been heard.

In July 2023, Noonan was sentenced to eight years in prison, with the final year suspended. However, he subsequently lodged an appeal against the sentence and the appeal will be finally heard on April 7, a day which is emblazoned in Ciara’s mind.

Prior to the July 2023 sentencing, the court heard that Ciara was raped as she drifted in and out of consciousness on a bathroom floor during the house party.

She told the court that she felt unwell after being handed an open can of cider at the party and that Noonan made a “beeline” for her and guided her into the upstairs bathroom where he raped her.

Looking ahead to the appeal hearing, Ciara says she intends to go to the appeal with other survivors of rape, sending a strong message of solidarity.

But the looming event is constantly on her mind.

She says: “It never ends. It is on the 7th of April. We [survivors] are all good shelfers — life goes on. We all have our normal people problems and then you have this as well.” 

She continues: “I will go and this time I am going to be supported with other survivors that are coming with me. It will be powerful. It is inhumane quite frankly.” 

“The length of time that this has dragged on — it is nearly two years since the sentencing before I get the stamp on my justice. 

He is only serving five years and three months for the rape, which is an injustice in itself. 

"For those five years and three months, where I should be feeling a little bit at peace in myself knowing that he is behind bars, the justice system has actually left his sentence open. I have not actually been able to rest assured that I know when he is coming out.” 

Stressing again at the “inhumane” nature of the process, the Mayo woman elaborated: “It comes with anxiety and worry and it is psychological stress be it in the front of your mind or the back of your mind. It is coming up in my dreams and that is just not fair. We are going together as survivors to support each other and I hope to then highlight that this is just not right.” 

Ciara has recently established a charity, Beyond Surviving, to help other survivors of rape, other forms of sexual violence and domestic abuse. She was also asked to take part in an international campaign called Let’s Talk About Rape and is the only Irish person to be featured in the campaign.

She says: “I sometimes surprise myself when I look back and think of all the times I have been suicidal, all the times I have gone down the wrong path, got involved with the wrong people, all those destructive things and now where I am today. I genuinely feel so like I have so much inner power and strength. I have gotten to a place in my life now where I can actually share that for the survivors who are where I was ten years ago.” 

She says that survivors “are standing up a little bit more to the justice system and how it fails us so much”. 

She is hopeful that the commitment by politicians to tackle the use of counselling notices in rape trials will be one of the results of survivors putting their heads above the parapet.

Of her own efforts to secure change, she says: “I just got to a stage in my life where I am going to highlight the systems, no matter what they are and how they are not protecting us. Because the system bends over backwards for the perpetrators but does nothing to protect us and we have to be the ones to fight to change it. 

"I just think it is wrong that I am sitting here still. It’s hard. Why do we have to take it? When are they going to listen that this is not how to treat people.” 

• The 24/7 National Rape Crisis Helpline can be contacted on 1800 778888. 

• Beyond Surviving can be accessed at BeyondSurviving.ie.