News Story

A two-year-old boy who died after being struck by a car in a hit-and-run incident in Co Limerick has been named locally as Peter Mulcaire.

A motorist was arrested following the collision in Rathkeale on Saturday.

Gardaí are appealing for witnesses to the incident involving a Jeep and the toddler shortly after 3.50pm.

A family fun day that was due to take place in Rathkeale on Sunday was cancelled following the death of Peter, according to notices on social media.

A Garda statement said: “The pedestrian, a male child aged two, was conveyed to University Hospital Limerick by a family member for treatment of serious injuries.

“He was subsequently pronounced deceased.

“A post-mortem examination will take place in due course.”

The statement added: “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.”