Two-year-old boy killed in Limerick hit-and-run named locally

A two-year-old boy who died after being struck by a car in Rathkeale, County Limerick, has been named locally as Peter Mulcaire.

Peter, who was understood to be from Abbeycourt, was hit near his home shortly after 3.50pm on Saturday. A family member brought him to University Hospital Limerick with serious injuries, but he was later pronounced dead. Gardaí said a post-mortem examination will take place.

Prayers for Peter were scheduled at Sunday masses across St Mary’s Parish, Rathkeale, and the Diocese of Limerick. Organisers also cancelled a family fun day in the area as a mark of respect, saying it was called off “due to very tragic circumstances in Rathkeale”.

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

Gardaí appointed a family liaison officer and continue to investigate. The road remained closed while Garda Forensic Collision Investigators examined the scene. Investigators appealed to anyone who traveled through Abbey Court or Rathkeale between 3.20pm and 4pm, especially those with dashcam footage, to come forward.

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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.