YET another arbitration attempt in the internal Garda representative dispute appears to have collapsed, with one faction stating that a resolution by talks no longer exists".
The latest attempt involved informal talks under the chairmanship of the former Garda Representative Association (GRA) general secretary, Mr Jack Marrinan.
Mr Marrinan chaired five hours of talks between the sides last week.
However, it appeared last night that the talks were being abandoned after an overwhelming majority of GRA division representatives rejected his intervention.
The GRA general secretary, Mr John Ferry, offered "exploratory talks" with the breakaway Garda Federation which represents around 2,500 gardai, mostly in Dublin, and members of four rural Garda divisions.
There was no response from the four rural divisions last night but the Garda Federation national secretary, Mr Chris Finnegan, rejected the suggestion.
In a statement, Mr Finnegan said: "With this rejection [of Mr Marrinan's intervention] by the GRA, the prospect of resolving this two year old Garda dispute by talks no longer exists."