A two-year-old boy has died following an alleged hit-and-run involving a Jeep in Ireland only days after he started pre-school.
The toddler, named locally as Peter Mulcaire, was struck while playing with his toy tractor shortly after 3.50pm on Saturday in Rathkeale, County Limerick.
He was rushed to a local hospital suffering with serious injuries but tragically died.
The male driver of the Jeep, in his 30s, has since been arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of an intoxicant.
Gardai police said the vehicle did not remain at the scene following the collision and the suspect was ‘held for purposes of providing a blood/ urine sample’.
He has since been released pending an analysis of that sample. An investigation is ongoing following a post-mortem examination.
Peter, who was described as a ‘beautiful little boy’, spent his first day at pre-school just days before he died.
His mother, Kerrie, posted pictures of the blonde toddler to Facebook with the caption: ‘My BabyBoy Off to Preschool’.
Two-year-old Peter Mulcaire died this weekend after being struck in an alleged ‘hit and run’ in County Limerick in Ireland
A host of friends and family flooded to the comments section this weekend to pay tribute.
Jessica Murariu said: ‘Rest in peace sweet boy, what a gorgeous handsome boy you was. Just come across your post, heart breaks for your mummy and family x’.
Another, Sandra Walker, wrote: ‘Thinking of you all and sending love. So sorry for the loss of your handsome little boy. May he R.I.P.’
Meanwhile Gemma Louise Mullen added: ‘I’m so sorry for your loss. Such a beautiful young boy god give this family the strength they need rest easy lil man x x’.
Father Eamonn Fitzgibbon from the nearby St Mary’s Parish described Peter’s death as a ‘terrible shock’ for the community.
He told RTE: ‘This town is a town that has experienced a lot of sadness down the years.
‘It’s a community that rallies, that comes together, supports each other and I’m very confident that they’ll do that in the days, the weeks, and the months ahead.
‘But it’s a terrible time. It’s literally beyond words the grief that is here today.’
Gardai is appealing for anyone who may have been driving in the Rathkeale area of County Limerick between 3.20pm and 4pm yesterday to contact them.
An appeal read: ‘The vehicle involved in the collision did not remain at the scene. A male driver of the vehicle (aged in his 30s) was subsequently arrested at a different location by Gardaí on suspicion of driving under the influence of an intoxicant.
‘The male was conveyed to a Garda Station in Co. Limerick for the purposes of providing a blood/urine evidential sample. He has since been released pending analysis of the evidential sample. The investigation is ongoing.
‘The road was closed for a technical examination by Garda Forensic Collision Investigators. Gardaí are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed this collision to come forward.
‘Road users who were travelling in the vicinity of Abbey Court, Rathkeale, Co. Limerick between 3:20pm and 4:00pm on Saturday 5th September 2026 and who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) are asked to make it available to investigating Gardaí.’
