THE prospect of another summer of bitter and violent civil disturbances intensified last night after Co Antrim Orangemen rejected a proposed compromise on parades brokered by a mediation group and supported by the Orange hierarchy.
Senior Co Antrim Orange leaders were dealt a "humiliating" defeat when a meeting of more than 300 members in Cloughmills yesterday rejected any accommodation with Dunloy residents, according to their Orange Order opponents.
Mr William Smyth, one of the protest organisers, said there must be no involvement with the Mediation Network or with nationalist residents groups over contentious parades "even if it means another Drumcree". A placard carried by one of the dissidents declaring "Stop Talking, Start Walking" captured the mood of those opposed to compromise.
The decision may have widespread repercussions for the summer marching season as it was hoped a local compromise on Dunloy Orange parades would serve as a benchmark by which other local accommodations could be reached on controversial parades such as Drumcree.
The compromise would have allowed Orangemen a speedy parade in Dunloy as a gesture of goodwill and another annual church parade to proceed unhindered in September. Other Orange and Royal Black Institution marches would have been a matter for further discussion, it is understood.
Mr Sean Farren, the SDLP representative in North Antrim, said the Cloughmills decision flew in the face of the widespread support for a local solution to contentious parades. "The goodwill of the Dunloy residents having been rejected, the prospects for the marching season are now full of foreboding."
Yesterday's rearranged meeting of Co Antrim Orangemen was described by Mr Smyth as "fairly stormy but conducted with reasonable decorum". Two weeks ago the first meeting in Carnlea was abandoned after it was disrupted by those opposed to any deal.
About 60 protesters were initially denied entrance to yesterday's meeting because they did not have proper "admission cards" but eventually they were allowed in. They and others already inside comprehensively rejected the accommodation favoured by Mr Robert McIlroy, the Co Antrim Grand Master.
Mr Smyth one of his chief opponents, said it was a great day for the Orange brethren of Co Antrim. "They forced the Grand Lodge to back down on having anything to do with Mediation Network, or republican backed residents groups.
"The County Grand officers actually faced a fairly humiliating defeat when they were forced to send a resolution to the Grand Lodge of Ireland not to talk to Mediation Network or any residents groups as well, and we hope that all other counties in the province will follow suit," he added.
Asked if the passing of the resolution was worthwhile even if it meant another Drumcree and all its attendant civil disturbances, Mr Smyth said: "Even if it means another Drumcree."
"We fail to see why as citizens of the EEC and the UK, we have to receive the consent of anyone to walk to and from our churches. We fail to see why we are stopped doing this in Dunloy and Garvaghy Road."
Mr David Tweed, a member of the Dunloy lodge and a former Ireland rugby international, said the people of Dunloy should show some tolerance of the Orange Order and slowly realise that "we are their friends. We are not out to cause trouble".
