THE HEAD of the Mediation Network in Northern Ireland, who has been mediating in the parades dispute, has warned that the North is heading towards a Bosnia style situation.
Mr Brendan McAllister was speaking yesterday after Wednesday night's decision by Co Antrim Orangemen not to take part in the mediation process.
"If you ask anyone who is engaged in community relations work in Northern Ireland, they will tell you that over the past two summers the people have been put under great strain.
"That has led to a widespread disillusionment in the community. I fear that if we go into a third summer with that kind of strain then the fragility of relationships across this community might not be up to it," said Mr McAllister.
This bleak picture follows the decision by Orangemen on Wednesday night at Cloughmills to reject mediation to help solve the problem of an Orange parade through the nationalist village of Dunloy. The Mediation Network had brokered a compromise which was supported by the Orange hierarchy and residents.