Family and friends of Mayo soldier hope his bravery will finally be recognised

It has been recommended that a special review be carried out in the case of a Mayo soldier who died while saving the lives of fellow officers but has never been recognised for his gallantry.

Ballyhaunis man Private Billy Kedian was aged just 22 when he was killed during a missile attack on a base where he was stationed alongside other Irish peacekeepers in south Lebanon in May 1999. His valour on the day saved the lives of 14 soldiers but has never been recognised with a Defence Forces medal.

The Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence has published its report on the awarding of Defence Force medals. In general, medals are awarded to members of the Defence Forces based on various criteria such as their length of service, for service overseas, and acts of bravery associated with such service both at home and overseas.

Under Defence Forces regulations, the award of medals for bravery is time-bound. They may not be awarded, in any case, unless a recommendation is made through the usual channels to the Chief of Staff, not later than two years in the case of the Military Medal for Gallantry, and not later than four years in the case of the Distinguished Service Medal, after the performance of the act in respect of which the recommendation is made.

Committee Cathaoirleach Charlie Flanagan said: “The committee was pleased to meet colleagues of Private Billy Kedian last month to discuss proposed amendments to the framework for awarding military medals for gallantry. Private Billy Kedian, a soldier of the 1st Battalion in Galway, was killed on May 31, 1999, while serving in the Lebanon. He is one of several members of the Defence Forces who have lost their lives and have never been recognised for it.”

Notwithstanding the committee’s request for a review of the two-year rule, it is calling for the specific case of Pte Kedian to be examined.

Pte Kedian was killed during an attack on the compound where he was serving near a small town called Tibnine. He had just been promoted to acting corporal that fateful day. He was not even on duty but responded when a firefight with Hezbollah militants broke out.

He acted swiftly to try and get his fellow officers to safety, running to each billet block and getting troops to the shelter of a bunker. As he got the last of the men to safety, a pair of mortar rounds landed killing Pte Kedian and seriously injuring two soldiers.

Pte Kedian’s family and former army colleagues have welcomed the review into his case and are hopeful that his incredible bravery will finally be properly recognised.

“What it would mean to us is that he is recognised and he is not forgotten,” said his sister Mary Fitzmaurice. “That night he laid down his life for his friends. He would be so honoured to receive that medal. We want that on his behalf and he deserves it.”

A special memorial event for Billy is taking place in his hometown on May 31 next year, marking the 25th anniversary of his death.

“If he got the medal in time for that, it would just be the icing on the cake,” said Mary.

Billy was the baby of the family and is survived by his sisters Mary and Ann.

“It’s 25 years ago next May since Billy died, but it only seems like yesterday. It was such a shock to us at the time,” said Mary. “We will never get over it. Never,” she added.

Mary said Billy adored his family and his army career meant everything to him.

“He always wanted to join the army. Even when he was little, all he wanted was the army outfits or the toy guns.”

She said it was his ambition to climb the ranks, before his life was so cruelly snatched away.

Sgt Larry Carty served with Pte Kedian, in Lebanon, and was among the delegation that met with the Oireachtas committee.

“A lot of young soldiers on that post left the army after it, because they were so traumatised,” Sgt Carty said.

“It’s still raw and it always will be,” he added.

“He was a lovely lad. When I met him first, I just took to him. I never even heard him swear and the lads respected him so much. He would have gone places in the army, he just had that cut out of him.”

Sgt Carty and others have been pleading for a historical act of bravery like Pte Kedian’s to be recognised by the Defence Forces.

“It’s going to be a fight,” he said.