Top brass salute for soldier who served 43 years

ONE of the country’s longest-serving soldiers took his final salute yesterday.

The Defence Forces marked Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) Billy Barry’s last day in uniform with a ‘stand-down parade’ — an honour usually reserved for top brass. He has served in the army for 43 years.

He was joined by his family on the podium in the parade square of Cork’s Collins Barracks for the special event.