A TIT FOR TAT business boycott in Lisnaskea, Co Fermanagh, has developed in the aftermath of the Drumcree standoff.
The boycott began when many nationalists living in the town decided to boycott Protestant owned businesses after reports that some businessmen had been seen blocking roads across Fermanagh in solidarity with the Orangemen at Drumcree.
A number of the Protestant businesses, some owned by lending Orangemen, have also come under attack from nationalist crowds. In one incident, six shops had windows broken and an attempt was made to burn down a Protestant garage con another occasion. Nationalist boycotts of Protestant businesses have also been reported in other areas of the North, including Armagh Castlederg, Pomeroy and Omagh.
As a result of the Lisnaskea boycott, which has escalated in the past fortnight, some Protestant families have begun boycotting Catholic owned businesses.
Protestants living in nearby Roslea took similar action last August after a Royal Black Institution parade was prevented from entering the village main, street when residents held a protest.
Mr Ken Maginnis, the Fermanagh South Tyrone MP and Ulster Unionist Party security spokesman, has warned the such an "economic war" could bring the North to its knees.
"It is the whole economy which is going to suffer and that is what Sinn Fein IRA want, to bring society to its knees. While one is depressed by this kind of economic war, one should not be surprised by the sectarian bigotry being shown by Sinn Fein IRA."
A Lisnaskea Sinn Fein councillor, Mr Gerry McHugh, has defended the nationalist boycott, saying that it involves those who do not support Sinn Fein. He said that as a nationalist representative he could not condemn something which many feel is justified action against those who had damaged business in Fermanagh by blocking roads.
"It is understandable that people are taking this action against people who expect them to spend money in their shops while at the same time are blocking roads and preventing people getting to work," he said.