Toddler Peter Mulcaire, 2, killed in hit-and-run in Rathkeale, Co Limerick

Two-year-old Peter Mulcaire died after being struck by a car near his home in Rathkeale, Co Limerick. A man in his 30s has been arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.

Two-year-old dies after being struck by car in Rathkeale

A two-year-old boy named locally as Peter Mulcaire has died following a hit-and-run incident in Rathkeale, Co Limerick, RTÉ News reports.

The child, understood to be from Abbeycourt in the town, was struck by a car near his home shortly after 3.50pm on Saturday. A family member brought him to University Hospital Limerick for treatment of serious injuries, where he was subsequently pronounced dead.

Gardaí have confirmed that a post-mortem examination will take place in due course. Rathkeale lies approximately 30km southwest of Limerick city.

The vehicle involved did not remain at the scene. Gardaí later arrested a man aged in his 30s at a separate location on suspicion of driving under the influence of an intoxicant. He was taken to a garda station in Co Limerick to provide a blood and urine evidential sample, and has since been released pending analysis of that sample.

A family liaison officer has been appointed to support the boy's family, gardaí said, adding that investigations are ongoing.

The road was closed to allow Garda Forensic Collision Investigators to carry out a technical examination of the scene.

Prayers for Peter Mulcaire are being said at Sunday masses across St Mary's Parish, Rathkeale and the Diocese of Limerick. A family fun day that had been scheduled for the locality was cancelled as a mark of respect. The organisers wrote on social media: "Due to very tragic circumstances in Rathkeale today and out of respect we are cancelling our funday in the Abbey grounds tomorrow, apologies to everyone concerned."

Gardaí have appealed to any road users who were travelling in the Abbey Court, Rathkeale area between 3.20pm and 4pm on Saturday to come forward, particularly those with dash-cam or other camera footage. Anyone with information is asked to contact Newcastle West Garda Station on 069 20650, the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111, or any garda station.

Source: RTÉ News