What do you think?
Rate this book
Aftermath: My Story
1 NIGHT. 1,807 DAYS. AND EVERY SINGLE MINUTE IN BETWEEN.
In July 2019, Bláthnaid Raleigh was enjoying a typical night out in Galway with friends and a few acquaintances from Mullingar. At the house party that followed, a night that had started like any other took a sinister turn when Jonathan Moran attacked and raped her.
Back in their hometown of Mullingar, Bláthnaid would spend the next five years living with the after-effects of that night, she and her family left in limbo, wracked with uncertainty. Meanwhile, her attacker, unable to be identified for legal reasons, continued his life as if nothing had happened – working, socialising and playing rugby.
On 1 July 2024, Moran was sentenced to eight years in jail, without ever offering a moment's remorse. What would this verdict mean for Bláthnaid and the life that she was forced to put on hold? Would this be the day that the old Bláthnaid would re-emerge? Could it ever be that simple?
Aftermath is raw, powerful and a truly devastating account of a system that left Bláthnaid feeling forgotten, irrelevant and lost. In an Ireland that claims to be victim-centric, Bláthnaid's words provide the ultimate and unequivocal victim impact statement.
In July 2019, Bláthnaid Raleigh was enjoying a typical night out in Galway with friends and a few acquaintances from Mullingar. At the house party that followed, a night that had started like any other took a sinister turn when Jonathan Moran attacked and raped her.
Back in their hometown of Mullingar, Bláthnaid would spend the next five years living with the after-effects of that night, she and her family left in limbo, wracked with uncertainty. Meanwhile, her attacker, unable to be identified for legal reasons, continued his life as if nothing had happened – working, socialising and playing rugby.
On 1 July 2024, Moran was sentenced to eight years in jail, without ever offering a moment's remorse. What would this verdict mean for Bláthnaid and the life that she was forced to put on hold? Would this be the day that the old Bláthnaid would re-emerge? Could it ever be that simple?
Aftermath is raw, powerful and a truly devastating account of a system that left Bláthnaid feeling forgotten, irrelevant and lost. In an Ireland that claims to be victim-centric, Bláthnaid's words provide the ultimate and unequivocal victim impact statement.
320 pages, Paperback
Published December 22, 2025
3 people are currently reading
54 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
November 28, 2025
The easiest 5 🌟 I’ve given all year. I couldn’t put it down.
As expected, I was beyond moved by Blathnaid’s courage, resilience and pure determination. Unexpectedly, I learned SO MUCH about the incredible failures of the Irish judicial system and just how arduous and traumatic it is for victims to get to the point of a trial, let alone a conviction. Such an important book, and such an important voice.
My favourite line in the whole thing is:
“You piece of shit.
YOU FUCKING LIAR.”
Because how I LOVE to see a woman express her unfiltered anger in cap lock, as she should, in her own publish booked that is helping her to heal, make meaning and find some purpose from the wreckage of that absolute pigs actions.
As expected, I was beyond moved by Blathnaid’s courage, resilience and pure determination. Unexpectedly, I learned SO MUCH about the incredible failures of the Irish judicial system and just how arduous and traumatic it is for victims to get to the point of a trial, let alone a conviction. Such an important book, and such an important voice.
My favourite line in the whole thing is:
“You piece of shit.
YOU FUCKING LIAR.”
Because how I LOVE to see a woman express her unfiltered anger in cap lock, as she should, in her own publish booked that is helping her to heal, make meaning and find some purpose from the wreckage of that absolute pigs actions.
December 21, 2025
A very powerful and beautifully honest book
December 27, 2025
Amazing.
Rape is not our chosen topic of conversation. It's not even something we like to think about.
But the way this is written is incredible. My heart breaks for 21 year old Bláthnaid and the vicious attack she endured.
My heart rages for the "missing years", "lost years", "life on hold" while Johnny Moran carried on regardless.
I am familiar with Mullingar and Castlepollard and I am sickened to know that the Irish justice system allowed that brutal rapist to walk the streets and carry on with work and sport. As always, the letters of support for the rapist, seem par for the course.
Bláthnaid could have stopped at waiving her right to anonymity after the trial. But to make time for other victims, to call out our "justice" system, and never ever come across as bitter is truly amazing.
Bláthnaid mentioned in her victim impact statement that she didn't want to be "strong". I can't imagine what it was like for her on days when she couldn't get out of bed. The heartache this rapist inflicted on her family does bear thinking about.
And then for Bláthnaid to bear the guilt of the when it was out of her control.
Maybe Bláthnaid didn't want to be forced to be strong. Nobody wants to face adversity but we could all pack it in after our day in court.
The fact Bláthnaid is still going, writing this book, advocating for victims, she's not just strong she is a CHAMPION.
Rape is not our chosen topic of conversation. It's not even something we like to think about.
But the way this is written is incredible. My heart breaks for 21 year old Bláthnaid and the vicious attack she endured.
My heart rages for the "missing years", "lost years", "life on hold" while Johnny Moran carried on regardless.
I am familiar with Mullingar and Castlepollard and I am sickened to know that the Irish justice system allowed that brutal rapist to walk the streets and carry on with work and sport. As always, the letters of support for the rapist, seem par for the course.
Bláthnaid could have stopped at waiving her right to anonymity after the trial. But to make time for other victims, to call out our "justice" system, and never ever come across as bitter is truly amazing.
Bláthnaid mentioned in her victim impact statement that she didn't want to be "strong". I can't imagine what it was like for her on days when she couldn't get out of bed. The heartache this rapist inflicted on her family does bear thinking about.
And then for Bláthnaid to bear the guilt of the when it was out of her control.
Maybe Bláthnaid didn't want to be forced to be strong. Nobody wants to face adversity but we could all pack it in after our day in court.
The fact Bláthnaid is still going, writing this book, advocating for victims, she's not just strong she is a CHAMPION.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 21, 2025
A very honest and emotional read all women should read this girls story
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews