A High Court action has begun to try to force the North Eastern Health Board to re-open maternity services at Monaghan General Hospital.
The services were suspended in March 2001.
In the High Court today, four local women began judicial review proceedings against the health board's decision. They claim the board acted outside its powers by ceasing services.
Senior Counsel for the plaintiffs, Owen Fitzsimons, said the board was trying to 'wish away' Monaghan as a stand alone hospital.
The health board is defending the action and is expected to argue the decision was only temporary and that it had the power to do that.
It is also expected to argue that it had no choice as medical insurance cover for the maternity unit was being withdrawn.
The case before Mr Justice Andreas Ó Caoimh is expected to last three days.
