Four Monaghan women have failed in a High Court bid to overturn the closure of a maternity unit at Monaghan General Hospital.
The women had applied to the court for a judicial review of the decision by the North Eastern Health Board to close the unit in March 2001.
Mr Justice Aindrias O'Caoimh ruled that while the health board had an obligation to provide a maternity service in its catchment area, there was no indication in the relevant legalisation as to where that provision should be.
Following the decision, the women said they were disappointed and would be considering whether to appeal.
