How to help

No monetary fee or contribution required .

Ignore platform request for voluntary contribution and sign.

Sign and share

The petition will be ultimately delivered to the Minister of Defence urging him to waive the medal regulations, so a medals board can be called to review the case of Pte Billy Kedian.

___________________________________________

Gallantry and Bravery

This petition is to ensure the memory of Billy kedian 1st Infantry battalion Galway and 85th Infantry Battalion S. Lebanon who sacrificed himself in the service of his comrades and country is properly honoured and decorated for his actions on that night.

Many men live today because of Billys actions.

On 31 May 1999, Pte William (Billy) Kedian (21), C Coy, 85 Inf Bn was killed by shrapnel when an 81 mm mortar round exploded in post 6-42 Brashit. Two mortar rounds had been fired from the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) and De Facto Forces (DFF) Compound W144. Two other members of the Post were wounded, Pte Ronnie Rushe (23) and Pte Darren Clarke (19).

Without any doubt Billy put his comrades lives before his own, he could have been the first one into the bunker but NO he made sure he got as many to safety as he could. Billy Kedian is a Hero and even though 24 years have passed he is regularly spoken about by his comrades in the First Battalion in Galway and also the whole Defence Forces.

He was on his second tour of duty with UNIFIL and his home unit was 1 Cn Cois at Dún Uí Mhaoilíosa, Galway.

His body was flown home on Friday 4 Jun and it was brought to Knock Airport by Air Corps Casa aircraft.

On Saturday 5 Jun 1999, he was buried with full military honours at Ballyhaunis Cemetery following Requiem Mass at St Patrick’s Church.

Ronnie Rushe pulled through but is still affected by his injuries.

Darren Clarke made a full recovery.

Many troops in 6-42 and also troops in C Company have suffered from PTSD following this incident.

Go dtuga Dia suaimhneas sioraí dó.

The petition will be ultimately delivered to the Minister of Defence urging him to waive the medal regulations, so a medals board can be called to review the case of Pte Billy Kedian.

https://www.rte.ie/radio/radio1/clips/22257862/