Latest talks fail to resolve Drumcree

Another round of talks aimed at resolving the Drumcree marching dispute has failed. After more than five hours of discussions, Mr Breandan Mac Cionnaith of the Garvaghy Road Residents' Coalition, last night called the talks a "waste of time". He said the Orange Order had wanted to videotape the negotiations and tried to impose other unacceptable pre-conditions. Mr Mac Cionnaith held talks with the Co Down Orange representative, Mr David McNally, but said such face-to-face discussions did not set a precedent. In a statement the Northern Ireland Office said it hoped further progress would be made in the near future. The Orange delegation emerged from Stormont House at about midnight.