Midlands 103

Search

Listen Live

On Air Now

5:00pm - 9:00pm

The Saturday Beat

Ed Sheeran

A Little More

LISTEN: I Own My Own Life Again - Westmeath Rape Survivor

Friday, 3 October 2025 14:13

Bláthnaid Raleigh's memoir on the five year aftermath following a sexual assault was released this month.

A Westmeath rape survivor is opening up about her recovery from her assault and its long running aftermath.

Mullingar's Bláthnaid Raleigh says she and her family struggled with the "massive impact" of the incident for the half decade it took for her attacker to be tried and convicted.

In July, 26 year old Johnny Moran of Tower View, Mullingar, in Westmeath was sentenced to eight years in prison for the attack, which happened in Galway in 2019.

Ms Raleigh, who's story is told in her recently memoir Aftermath, says she's only starting to find herself again now:

You can listen to her full interview with Midlands 103's Ronan Berry here:

If you are affected by the content of this interview, you can call the 24 Hour Rape Crisis Helpline on 1800 778888 for free, confidential and non-judgmental support.

More from Midlands News

Strong Winds Down Trees Across Midlands As Storm Amy Sparks Red Alert

The midlands counties are under a yellow weather warning.
HSE Advises Over-60s To Get Winter Vaccines As Flu And COVID Cases Rise

Nearly 6,500 people were hospitalised with flu last winter, alongside more than 2,000 COVID-19 admissions.
Midlands 103 Up For Seven Awards At IMRO Radio Awards

The winners are set to be announced at the Lyrath Hotel in Kilkenny tonight.
ADHD Awareness Month To Highlight Connection And Support

October marks ADHD Awareness Month.
Education Minister Assures Parents On School Choice Amid New Application Pilot

Tullamore was chosen as one of five Irish towns for the new system because of its growing population.
Westmeath Town Finally Moving On From Economic Crash - Denis Leonard

125 new homes are coming to Kinnegad.
Road Cleared After Early Morning Offaly Crash

The incident took place around 6am this morning.
More Rain To Come - Alan O'Reilly

Laois, Offaly and Westmeath will be under a yellow wind warning from midday.
Gaza Vigil To Be Held In Offaly

Tullamore for Gaza is holding the vigil this evening at 6pm.
Westmeath Castle Visitor Centre to Close For Nine Month Redevelopment

Westmeath County Council was awarded €3.2 million in funding under Fáilte Ireland’s Regenerative Tourism Scheme.
Midlands MEP Wants Irish Prioritisation Of Online Safety At EU Level

Nina Carberry wants Ireland to use its presidency of the EU to focus on online safety for children.
Manchán Magan Dies At 55

The celebrated gaeilgeoir passed away after a terminal cancer diagnosis.
SETU Researchers Recognised For World Class Work

Five researchers from the University have made it on to the Stanford Elsevier list.
We Must Learn From Past Storms - Ciaran Mulloly

In January, Storm Éowyn left over three quarters of a million homes across Ireland without power.
Offaly TD Calls For Reversal Of Voluntary Return Grant For Asylum Seeker

The policy offers money to families and individuals who agree to withdraw their applications for international protection.
Midlands Schools Invited To Enter Our World Global Citizenship Awards

Selected school projects will be featured at the National Finals taking place next June.
Irish Stew Podcast Brings Global Irish Stories Home To The Midlands

Co host John Lee has family connections in Clara.
Westmeath Man Charged Over Double Bladed Incident

Gardaí say the accused intended to assault his brother in Mullingar.
Midlands Women Earning Significantly Less Than Their Dublin Counterparts

The media average wage in Laois, Offaly and Westmeath is just over €38k.
Laois Schools Back 'Free To Be Kids' Movement To Postpone Smartphone Use

Eight Laois primary schools have signed up to a rising campaign.

Download Our App

Never miss a moment from Midlands 103