A two-year-old boy, identified locally as Peter Mulcaire, died on Saturday after being struck by a Jeep while playing with a toy tractor. The incident occurred shortly after 3:50 p.m. in Rathkeale, County Limerick.
Gardai, the Irish police force, stated that the vehicle did not remain at the scene. The injured toddler was transported to a local hospital, where he later died. Authorities arrested a male driver, in his 30s, on suspicion of driving under the influence of an intoxicant. He was taken to a Garda station to provide a blood or urine sample, which is now pending analysis. An investigation into the collision is ongoing, and a post-mortem examination has been conducted.
Peter Mulcaire had reportedly started pre-school just days before the incident. His mother, Kerrie, shared photos of him on Facebook with the caption, "My BabyBoy Off to Preschool." Friends and family have posted tributes online, remembering Peter as a "beautiful little boy" and expressing condolences to his family.
Father Eamonn Fitzgibbon of St. Mary's Parish described the death as a "terrible shock" to the community, noting its history of experiencing sadness but also its strong tradition of support. "It's literally beyond words the grief that is here today," he told RTE.
Gardaí are appealing for witnesses, particularly anyone who was in the Rathkeale area between 3:20 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. on Saturday. They are also requesting that road users with camera footage, including dash-cam recordings, from the vicinity of Abbey Court, Rathkeale, between those times, make it available to investigators.