Mayo's Private Billy Kedian to be awarded Military Medal of Gallantry

THE Military Medal of Gallantry is to be bestowed on the late Mayo Private Billy Kedian.

The Ballyhaunis man paid the ultimate sacrifice when, aged 21, he died while saving the lives of 14 colleagues while under armed attack from Hezbollah militants in south Lebanon during a tour of duty on May 31, 1999.

Private Kedian had been recommended for the Military Medal of Gallantry. However, a 'time-bound' policy had prohibited the awarding of the medal after a certain time has elapsed after a soldier's death.

Under the regulations, a submission should be made within two years of the actual act – the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence recommended that be reviewed in a report published last year.

Now, Private Kedian's family have received a welcome Christmas gift – news that the distinguished service honour is to be awarded in the new year.

The Friends of Private Billy Kedian, in confirming the long overdue medal, hailed it as being 'a massive achievement'.

The medal award ceremony will take place in early 2025.

The group, in a statement on social media, paid tribute to the tireless work that has gone into having the medal awarded by Billy's friends and former colleagues Seamus Gannon and Larry Carty.

Private Kedian's memory was honoured in Ballyhaunis this summer, with the unveiling of a memorial. And plans are progressing to develop an air ambulance base in the locality, named in his honour, with plans currently before Mayo County Council.