“FOREVER OUR LITTLE ANGEL” — FUNERAL DETAILS RELEASED FOR TWO-YEAR-OLD PETER MULCAIRE AFTER DEVASTATING LIMERICK HIT-AND-RUN

A TWO-YEAR-OLD boy who was tragically killed after being struck by a vehicle while playing near his home will be laid to rest this week — as his heartbroken family described him as their “beautiful little boy” and “little angel.”

Peter Mulcaire, from Abbeycourt in Rathkeale, County Limerick, died after suffering catastrophic injuries in a hit-and-run collision on Saturday afternoon.

He had only recently started preschool.

Now, his family is preparing to say goodbye.

“THE HEAVIEST OF HEARTS”

Peter’s family announced his funeral arrangements in an obituary notice, describing his death as sudden and unexpected.

He is mourned by his parents, Kerrie and James, his brother Jim and sister Delilah, as well as grandparents, great-grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and members of the wider Harty and Mulcaire families.

The family ended the notice with a heartbreaking message:

“Forever our little angel, may he rest in eternal peace.”

HIS FINAL DAYS SHOULD HAVE BEEN FILLED WITH JOY

Peter had just started at a local preschool the previous week.

His mother had shared a photograph of him on his first morning, standing proudly beside a blue star-shaped balloon celebrating “Peter’s first day of preschool 2026.”

She captioned the photo simply:

“My baby boy off to preschool.”

Days later, the family was facing an unimaginable loss.

Peter was playing on a small toy tractor near his home in Rathkeale at around 3:50 p.m. Saturday when he was struck by a jeep.

A family member rushed him to University Hospital Limerick, but he later died from his injuries.

THE VEHICLE LEFT THE SCENE

Gardaí said the vehicle involved did not remain at the scene.

A man in his 30s was later arrested at another location on suspicion of driving under the influence of an intoxicant.

He was brought to a Garda station to provide an evidential blood or urine sample and was subsequently released pending analysis. The investigation remains ongoing.

Gardaí have appealed for anyone who witnessed the collision or may have relevant camera footage to come forward.

A COMMUNITY PREPARES TO SAY GOODBYE

Peter will lie in repose at Cross’s Funeral Home in Limerick on Tuesday, September 8, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

His remains will then be taken to St. Mary’s Church in Rathkeale.

A Mass of the Angels will take place at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, September 9, followed by burial at the New Cemetery in Rathkeale.

The family has also asked mourners to respect their privacy and requested that no photographs or videos be taken during the funeral service.

“BEYOND WORDS”

The tragedy has left Rathkeale in shock.

Fr Eamonn Fitzgibbon described Peter’s death as a “terrible shock” for the community, saying the town would come together to support the family through the grief.

For those who knew Peter, however, he was more than a tragic headline.

He was a little boy who had only just begun preschool.

A son.

A brother.

A grandson.

A child whose family expected to watch him grow up.

Instead, this week they will gather to say goodbye.

“Forever our little angel.”