“FOREVER OUR LITTLE ANGEL” — HEARTBREAK AS TWO-YEAR-OLD PETER MULCAIRE IS LAID TO REST AFTER TRAGIC HIT-AND-RUN

Just days after celebrating a brand-new beginning at preschool, little Peter Mulcaire’s family is preparing to say goodbye to their beloved two-year-old boy.

Peter, from Rathkeale, Co. Limerick, had only recently started preschool when tragedy struck.

On Saturday afternoon, September 5, he was playing on a toy tractor near his home in the Abbeycourt area when he was struck by a vehicle.

Despite efforts to save him, Peter was pronounced dead after suffering catastrophic injuries.

“OUR BEAUTIFUL LITTLE BOY”

Peter’s family described him as their “golden boy” and a child who was deeply loved by his parents, siblings, grandparents and extended family.

His mother, Kerrie, had recently shared photographs of Peter smiling proudly on his first day of preschool.

Those happy photographs now carry an unimaginable weight.

Tributes from relatives and friends described Peter as a “beautiful boy,” a “little angel” and a precious child whose life was cut heartbreakingly short.

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 provided an evidential blood or urine sample and was subsequently released pending analysis.

No conviction has been reported, and the investigation remains ongoing.

Gardaí have appealed for witnesses and for anyone who may have dash-cam or doorbell footage from the Abbey Court area between approximately 3:20pm and 4pm on the day of the collision.

A COMMUNITY IN MOURNING

The tragedy has left Rathkeale devastated.

A planned community fun day was cancelled as a mark of respect for Peter and his family.

Now, the family is preparing for his final farewell.

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

His Mass of the Angels will take place at 11:30am on Wednesday, September 9, at St. Mary’s Church in Rathkeale, followed by burial at the new cemetery.

The family has asked for privacy and requested that no photographs or videos be taken during the service.

Peter was only two.

He had just begun preschool.

He should have had years of first days, birthdays, family memories and childhood adventures ahead of him.

Instead, his family is preparing to lay their “little angel” to rest.

“Forever our little angel.”

And for a grieving family in Rathkeale, those words now mean everything.