Irishman who discovered cure for leprosy honoured

THE Irish researcher who discovered the cure for leprosy has been honoured to mark the 100th anniversary of his birth.

Dr Vincent Barry, a native of Sunday’s Well in Cork city, is credited with the development of the compound used in drugs that have helped to cure about 15 million people.

The Leprosy Mission, an Irish organisation set up in 1874, last night honoured Dr Barry for what it describes as the greatest Irish humanitarian achievement in history.