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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.
- GenresCrime
320 pages, Paperback
Published December 22, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
May 11, 2026
This was a really disturbing read at times and not an easy book to read emotionally. I found myself constantly hoping things would finally get easier for Bláthnaid & she would get some sort of peace or healing after everything she went through. What stayed with me most was how the trauma didn’t just end after the assault that it affected every part of her life afterwards.
I thought the book was so well written. I think by writing this book it will help other people understand trauma and the lasting impact it can have on someone’s life. It’s the kind of book that is hard to read at times but important to read too.
I thought the book was so well written. I think by writing this book it will help other people understand trauma and the lasting impact it can have on someone’s life. It’s the kind of book that is hard to read at times but important to read too.
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.
February 12, 2026
What an amazing story. Made me really sad but happy she got her justice. 5 stars
December 20, 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 not 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 not 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
January 22, 2026
Excellent and horrifying book. Particularly good on the aftermath of rape and the permanent psychological damage it can cause.
February 12, 2026
Five stars for raw honesty and for not trying to wrap it all up onto a neat happy ending.
July 19, 2026
The author has explained why and how trauma doesn’t just last for the moment of the incident, but long afterwards. I imagine writing the book has got a lot off her chest, released her frustrations and hurt as over the years after her rape she was prob churning things over and over in her head, as anyone would. This book shows how one moment in time can change a life. She lost friends because she was raped, she changed her study and career path because of rape, in so many ways her life changed from it could have been, what it would have naturally been, because of a trauma forced upon her by not just the perpetrator, but the legal system and society. She was brave enough to write about it to help us understand. I hope her so called friends who abandoned her got to read this book. Her bravery is admirable.
July 2, 2026
5⭐️. This moved me, so emotional and honest. Thank you for sharing your story Blathnaid.
March 31, 2026
Best book of this year by far. The honesty and vulnerability in this book stopped me in my tracks more than once.
5 years to get to court is shameful, this is probably the realest description of this process I have ever come across. I would love to see real change come about as a result.
Blathnaid live your life girl, you deserve it. Any ‘friends’ lost in this time is no friend to begin with. I hope Johnny Moran rots in prison.
5 years to get to court is shameful, this is probably the realest description of this process I have ever come across. I would love to see real change come about as a result.
Blathnaid live your life girl, you deserve it. Any ‘friends’ lost in this time is no friend to begin with. I hope Johnny Moran rots in prison.
March 21, 2026
What a raw true story of how one man’s actions changed the course of a young woman’s life.
Absolutely brilliant honest read.
Absolutely brilliant honest read.
March 5, 2026
I came across the audiobook of Blathanids story on Borrowbox and while listening to Roisin O’Neill narrating the story (such a decent narrator honestly) , I feel so extremely devastated for Blathnaid on what happened to her. It made me so speechless and distraught that sicko (doesn’t deserve a name since it’s an it in my eyes tbh) touched her for its personal gains. Yknow the likes of it and its enablers make ya sick, even those who told Blathnaid off that she should’ve been thinking of his family. NO HE DID THIS YOU ABSOLUTE *name calls I can’t say here cause I have a long list* like people need to wake the f up!
The amount of times my eyes teared up and me shaken up with anger on what happened to Blathnaid, it really does go to show that you need to be with a group of friends you trust and know on a night out because there are gimps out there (ive come across a few unfortunately on nightouts but lucky they didn’t touch me). It’s so important to be safe, please look out for your daughter and sons folks as there are definitely evil objects (that’s all they are, they ain’t no person) out there that will literally do anything to them.
The amount of times my eyes teared up and me shaken up with anger on what happened to Blathnaid, it really does go to show that you need to be with a group of friends you trust and know on a night out because there are gimps out there (ive come across a few unfortunately on nightouts but lucky they didn’t touch me). It’s so important to be safe, please look out for your daughter and sons folks as there are definitely evil objects (that’s all they are, they ain’t no person) out there that will literally do anything to them.
July 25, 2026
What an amazing, insightful read, which I devoured in hours.
I’ve followed this case closely since the guilty verdict, mainly because I’m involved in a rugby community myself.
Besides Moran and his supporters, Mullingar RFC should hang their heads in shame. But then their behaviour is on-brand, and I would’ve expected nothing less from them.
Well done to Blathnaid for telling her story so eloquently. As a fellow empath, I understand prioritising/questioning/processing other people’s feelings ahead of your own.
I wish her well for her continued healing, and thank her for a story that no one should have to tell.
I’ve followed this case closely since the guilty verdict, mainly because I’m involved in a rugby community myself.
Besides Moran and his supporters, Mullingar RFC should hang their heads in shame. But then their behaviour is on-brand, and I would’ve expected nothing less from them.
Well done to Blathnaid for telling her story so eloquently. As a fellow empath, I understand prioritising/questioning/processing other people’s feelings ahead of your own.
I wish her well for her continued healing, and thank her for a story that no one should have to tell.
August 7, 2026
A powerful, honest & deeply moving memoir. Bláthnaid’s strength & resilience can be seen in every page as she shares the devastating impact of sexual violence & the long road to justice & healing. An unforgettable read that stays with you long after the final page.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews