People in Belfast city centre expressed their disappointment and dismay at yesterday's developments at Stormont. But while a majority of unionists seemed to agree with Mr Trimble's position, most nationalists said they were disgusted with unionist intransigence Ms Sharon Quinn, a controller at a taxi depot, said she was angry at the unionists' "point-blank" refusal to enter into dialogue with nationalists and republicans. "There is no compromise on their side, you know. It's their way or no way and it is never going to work while the unionists always get their way. If at least they insisted on decommissioning on both sides, but they only ever talk about the IRA, never about the loyalists."
Ms Quinn said she was "shocked, just shocked" at Mr Mallon' s resignation. "I can understand how he must feel. I think that's the end of the whole process."
But Mr Jim McArthur, a security guard, said he fully agreed with Mr Trimble's stance.
"Mr Trimble was exactly right. The simple fact that there are no guns on the table means the unionist people were not going to get any satisfaction from Sinn Fein/IRA. Mr Mallon is a great gentleman but his resignation has given credence to Sinn Fein. The politicians might pick it up again in September but I hope Mr Paisley will have a greater input then. I am not disillusioned at all, I think the unionists could not have done anything else. I am very disappointed with the SDLP for backing the shinners rather than the unionists."
His colleague, Mr Norman Doyle echoed his sentiments. "I think Mr Trimble was right as there has been no sign of any decommissioning by Sinn Fein/IRA. I am very disappointed in Seamus Mallon. Of course, we are all fed up with the whole process but he should have stayed in office. Hopefully they will pick it up again in September, but I feel very disillusioned at the present time with all the parties."
Mr John Hartley, a taxi driver, described all politicians as "foolish". He added: "There is no sense of give-and-take on the unionist side which means we will never arrive at a settlement. Our politicians are really just backwater politicians and it is only the hype of publicity that is keeping them going. If they were your kids you would be slapping them."
Mr Mark McStay, a petrolstation manager, described yesterday's events as a "disgrace" and insisted all of the North's politicians should be "thrown out of office". "Neither Trimble nor Mallon were right to do what they did. They are creating problems that nobody needs. I think that is the whole process finished."
Among business people there was a feeling that the political developments were unfairly overshadowing "real issues" such as the economy. Mr John Malley, a manager, said he was "extremely frustrated". "I wish they would get on with dealing with the real issues in this country - which is the economy and guaranteeing peace and prosperity for us and our children. I am a unionist myself but I think Mr Trimble should have taken the risk. I think once the thing was up and running, the paramilitaries would have started decommissioning by themselves."
Mr Gordon Houston, a sales executive, agreed that peace was a prize for which risks should be taken. "I think Mr Trimble should have shown more courage. The risk is worth taking. I have to believe that things can be rescued but frankly speaking, we need a miracle."
Mr David Nelson, who works in a computer store, said he was pessimistic about the peace process's chances now. "They will have to pick it up again before September, because the more time you give them, the more obstacles they make up. I can understand why Mr Mallon resigned, he is fed up and so are we all. Those people don't speak for us, they are only in it for their salaries, especially people like Mr Paisley who oppose the Good Friday Agreement."
A driver for a local newspaper, Mr Frank McKeever said the unionists were "expecting too much".
"They want it all, as usual. I think Mr Mallon was right. I can understand his frustration. An awful lot of people in the street feel the same way. And we, the public, don't seem to be getting through to those people. They are not speaking for us, they have their own agenda. I just want peace and prosperity for my family."