A nurse told several women who turned up at a smear test clinic in Belmullet last week that the clinic had been so busy that morning she was too tired to carry out tests.
The nurse was on duty at the Western Health Board day-long clinic.
She is also reported to have said the TV soap Coronation Street was the cause of the huge demand by Belmullet women for smear tests.
The shocked and angry women, who arrived from 3.30 p.m. onwards, said they could not believe that this was the response from a health professional when they had psychologically prepared themselves for the smear test.
The women, who didn't wish to be named, reported the incident to the Western Health Board.
The smear test clinic was advertised in the parish newsletter and in the local papers for Belmullet on Tuesday, July 17th, and the opening times given were from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m..
It is estimated that the nurse on duty had tested up to 60 patients by 3.30 p.m. that afternoon.
The women who lost out on the test say this proves the demand for the service in the Belmullet region and also shows the indifference of the health board to the health needs of the area.
The communications officer of the Western Health Board, Ms Miriam Stack, said the board had investigated the incident.
"We unreservedly apologise to the women who were affected and we are asking them to ring the county clinic in Castlebar, 094-22333, and immediate arrangements will be made to have them tested at their earliest convenience," she said.