An air ambulance base is to be built in Ballyhaunis in Co Mayo by a group of local volunteers who have been longtime campaigners for such a service.
The community initiative has been named in honour of local soldier Private Billy Kedian who lost his life on a peacekeeping mission in Lebanon 25 years ago.
In May of this year a monument was erected on the outskirts of Ballyhaunis by a local fundraising committee, in memory of Pte Kedian.
He was just 21 years of age when he was killed in Lebanon in 1999.
Retired army men, Séamus Gannon and Larry Carty were colleagues of Pte Kedian and played a key part in getting this project off the ground.
Retired Army Sergeant Larry Carty recalled the day his friend was killed in action.
"It happened around four minutes past five in the morning, when the fatal impact hit. We didn't know who was killed.
"We just heard that there was casualties on 642, and what we had was bunker numbers. Everyone had their own designated bunker number. And when I heard over the radio the bunker number coming in, I checked it up. I seen it was Billy, and we were devastated.
"You know, like you got to remember the company itself. We were fairly young. The average age was only 19 in that company at the time. They were all young soldiers."
Larry's eyes filled with tears as he continued.
"I'm so honoured that this is happening. And you know Billy saved 11 nice lives that morning, and he's going to now continue to save lives.
"His name is going to live on in life saving. He will be honoured himself and his family are proud of what's happening today."
We need your consent to load this rte-player contentWe use rte-player to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content.Manage Preferences
A locally owned helicopter flew Billy's family close to the site of the helipad where the air ambulance will be based.
The project will cost an estimated €2m and campaigners are seeking the backing of their local representatives.
Gerry O'Boyle is one of the main drivers of the plan.
"This helicopter emergency medical service will provide life saving aid at the scene of collisions for people with critical injuries," he said.
"We have been researching and planning for this ambulance base in Ballyhaunis for many years because too many people have lost their lives or endured devastating traumatic injuries with no adequate service in place.
"We’re talking about people with critical brain injuries or heart attacks. The ambulance will take the person to our base and from there to hospital within ten minutes."
Retired Army Sergeant Major Séamus Gannon said the quest for this service resonated deeply with him.
"I suppose, back like when Billy was killed, unfortunately, back in 1999 the post was under intense fire from the south Lebanese army.
"And at the time, the UN helicopter couldn't fly in for the medical evacuation due to the absence of a full-time designated helipad.
"So I suppose, in essence, and why we're here today, is there is no full-time helipad here in Ballyhaunis for an air ambulance service. So that's why we're here today."
He called for financial support from both national and local government.
"We're hoping that some of the money from the Apple 'windfall' will make its way over to here to Ballyhaunis."
Minister of State Dara Calleary said he would be seeking financial support for the project.
"There's a bit of work ahead but I will certainly throw my shoulder to the wheel in terms of getting the necessary funding, both to get it up and running but also to maintain it.
"I think everybody sees the value of this service but we're under road now and I certainly be on that road with the committee, with the council and with all of the local representatives."
Speaking at today’s launch, Pte Kedian’s sisters Mary Fitzmaurice and Ann Lenehan said they were very moved to have the new facility named after their brother.
"It will be a great service for the people of Ballyhaunis, for Mayo and for the west of Ireland. Billy's death was tragic and we miss our brother every day. But out of this awful darkness comes a wonderful, positive community initiative," Mary Fitzmaurice said.
Music was provided by local man Gerry Carney who wrote a song dedicated to the young soldier called Bringing Billy Home.
Local volunteers said this air ambulance base will help save lives in a county which has been devastated by serious road collisions in recent times.
They said this initiative could be rolled out in communities nationwide.
It is hoped the project here will be up and running within the next two years.
