Council to hold civic reception in memory of Mayo soldier
Private Billy Kedian.
Mayo County Council is to hold a civic reception in honour of the late Irish Defence Forces Private Billy Kedian, who was killed in May 1999 while on United Nations peacekeeping duties in the Lebanon.
The civic reception was proposed by Fine Gael Cllr Alma Gallagher at the March meeting of the council. Cllr Gallagher said it was fitting to honour the 21-year-old from Ballyhaunis, who had only recently been awarded posthumously the Distinguished Service Medal by the Irish Government.
Cllr Gallagher revealed that she had a personal interest in Billy Kedian's case as she had been in school with him since junior infants.
"We must honour our heroes who lost their lives as peacekeepers in foreign missions. This medal marks a very proud day for Ballyhaunis and our county and I propose we hold a civic reception for him to mark his memory and thank him for his services to the county.”
The proposal was seconded by Cllr Neil Cruise who said the late soldier gave his life in the service of peacekeeping, following which it was approved by members.
