Disappointment at continuing stand-off in St. Patrick’s

There's bitter disappointment tonight that a potential breakthrough in the Afghan stand-off has fallen through.

The government today rejected compromise proposals worked out between the Church of Ireland and hunger strikers occupying Saint Patrick's Cathedral.

The Archbishop of Dublin say asylum seekers had agreed to the deal which envisaged independent human rights observers attending interviews with the immigration service.

But the Department of Justice told the clergy to end its negotiations which could lead to copycat actions.

Rosanna Flynn from Residents Against Racism says it's depressing news for the protestors

“They were hoping there would be something, some offer of compromise from the Irish government and absolutely nothing happened, she said this evening, but “the Irish government just restated their position.”

“And the last I heard, she added, “there was a total change of mood, everyone in there was very very low and they were all going to die.”