Billy Kedian recognition
Senator Craughwell raised the lack of official recognition for soldier Billy Kedian and other Defence Forces personnel who died in service. The Cathaoirleach redirected him to a more suitable parliamentary route, and he then corrected a credit for the story to Neil Cotter.
Recently, in Mayo County Council, Independent Councillor Seamus Weir, cathaoirleach of the council, did something rather unusual. He organised for Mr. Larry Carty to make a presentation to the assembled council regarding the death of Private Billy Kedian. Billy Kedian, a soldier of the 1st Battalion in Galway, was killed on 31 May 1999.
Yesterday, The Irish Sun carried a story about Billy Kedian and others in the Defence Forces who have lost their lives and have never been recognised for it – none of them. We allow our soldiers to die. It is no secret that I served in the British Army. One of the things I learned as a recruit was the battle honours of the regiment. I learned about the great men of the regiment who died in service. We do not do that in Ireland.
Lieutenant Colonel Ernán Naughton, who is retired, said yesterday that every Chief of Staff who retires gets a distinguished service medal. For what? For doing his job. Should every private soldier who served for 40 years, who was never charged and who did his duty every day get a distinguished service medal? They have debased the medal to the point of its being worthless. Yet, Billy Kedian is entitled to a military medal for gallantry. He gave his life to save 14 men. Paddy Kelly from Athlone was shot by the IRA during the Don Tidey kidnapping. The garda who was beside him got the gold Scott medal. Paddy Kelly, or Patrick Kelly, got nothing. Dick O'Hanlon, Martin Fahy and two others saved John O'Connor while they were under fire and they got nothing. They did not even get a "Thank you". The time has come for the Cathaoirleach and the Leader to write to the Minister for Defence, Deputy Micheál Martin, to ask him to force the Chief of Staff to order a complete review of the acts of valour, as has been done in every country in the western world, to see who we have missed out on, and that includes the people of Jadotville. I thank the Cathaoirleach for his forbearance on this.
Comment on this
I suggest to Senator Craughwell that a Private Members' motion or a Commencement matter might be appropriate. Anois, an Seanadóir Malcolm Byrne.
Comment on this
I should have thanked Neil Cotter, who broke the story in The Irish Sun.