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

The child was struck by a jeep in Rathkeale yesterday afternoon.

Gardaí responded to a collision involving a jeep and a pedestrian shortly after 3.50pm yesterday afternoon, September 6, on Abbey Court, Rathkeale.

The pedestrian, 2-year-old Mulcaire, was brought 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.

Prayers will be offered for the child at Sunday Masses across St Mary’s Parish in Rathkeale and throughout the Diocese of Limerick this morning.

Additionally, a family fun day set to take place in the locality today has been cancelled as a mark 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."

The vehicle involved in the collision failed to remain at the scene and a male driver of the vehicle, 30s, was arrested at a different location by Gardaí on suspicion of driving under the influence of an intoxicant.

He was taken to a Limerick Garda Station to provide a blood/urine evidential sample and has been released pending analysis of the sample.

The investigation is ongoing.

Gardaí are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the collision to come forward, including road users who were travelling in the vicinity between 3.20pm and 4.00pm on Saturday and may have camera footage.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Newcastle West Garda Station on (069) 20650, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.