Locals in Bansha, Co Tipperary, have failed in a last-minute attempt at the High Court to prevent the closure of their local post office.
The court was told An Post gave just one day's notice of the closure of the post office which will cause hardship to sick and elderly people in the town.
Members of the Save Bansha Post Office Committee sought a High Court injunction forcing An Post to keep the post office open.
However the court refused the injunction and adjourned the case to next week to allow An Post respond to the case.
The court was told Bansha Post Office operates from a petrol station in the town which was recently sold.
Locals understood the new owners would also take over the agency for the post office.
However a notice was posted yesterday by An Post to say the post office would close this evening.
The post office agency was advertised for tender, but it is alleged An Post cut short the usual 52-day tender period to just seven days and did not abide by proper tender procedures.
Locals claim elderly and disabled customers will have to travel miles to alternative post offices.
In the absence of a proper transport system, they claim customers will be prevented from collecting welfare payments and pensions.
Mr Justice Brian McGovern said he could not grant mandatory injunctions forcing An Post to keep the post office open.
He said despite the inconvenience to locals, the post office may have to close temporarily at least, until An Post could come to court to answer the case.
He refused to grant the injunctions sought by the committee, but granted permission to the committee to serve notice of the case on An Post before it returns to court next Monday.
