Two-year-old Peter Mulcaire killed in hit-and-run in Rathkeale, Co Limerick

Peter Mulcaire, aged two, died after being struck by a car near his home in Rathkeale. A man in his 30s was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.

Toddler 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, Rathkeale, was struck by a car near his home shortly after 3.50pm on Saturday. A family member brought him to University Hospital Limerick, where he was subsequently pronounced dead. Gardaí have confirmed a post-mortem examination will take place in due course.

Rathkeale is located approximately 30km southwest of Limerick city. The vehicle involved did not remain at the scene following the collision.

A man in his 30s was later arrested at a separate location on suspicion of driving under the influence of an intoxicant. He was brought to a garda station in Co Limerick to provide a blood or urine evidential sample and has since been released pending analysis of that sample.

Gardaí have appointed a family liaison officer to support Peter's family. The road at the scene was closed to allow Garda Forensic Collision Investigators to conduct a technical examination.

Prayers for Peter Mulcaire are being offered at Sunday masses across St Mary's Parish, Rathkeale and the Diocese of Limerick. A family fun day scheduled for the locality was cancelled out 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 are appealing to any road users who were travelling in the Abbey Court, Rathkeale area between 3.20pm and 4pm on Saturday, particularly those with dash-cam or other camera footage, to come forward.

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. Investigations are ongoing.

Source: RTÉ News