“HE WAS OUR LITTLE ANGEL”: FAMILY MOURNS TWO-YEAR-OLD PETER MULCAIRE AFTER TRAGIC LIMERICK COLLISION

A family is mourning the heartbreaking loss of two-year-old Peter Mulcaire after a tragic road collision in Rathkeale, Co Limerick, ended the life of a little boy who had only just begun a new chapter at preschool.

Peter, from the Abbey Court area of Rathkeale, was struck by a vehicle close to his home shortly before 4 p.m. on Saturday, September 5.

He was rushed for emergency treatment after suffering serious injuries, but was later pronounced dead at University Hospital Limerick.

HE HAD ONLY JUST STARTED PRESCHOOL

The tragedy came only days after Peter’s first steps into preschool.

His mother, Kerrie Mulcaire, had recently shared photographs of her smiling little boy dressed for his first day, proudly carrying his school bag.

Peter had started preschool on August 31.

For his family, what should have been the beginning of a happy new chapter instead became an unbearable loss.

A LITTLE BOY DEEPLY LOVED

Family and friends have remembered Peter as a beautiful, blonde-haired child who brought enormous joy to those around him.

Tributes described him as a “beautiful boy,” a “little angel” and a much-loved member of his family.

His parents, Kerrie and James, as well as his siblings, relatives and friends, have been left grieving a child whose life had barely begun.

The family’s funeral notice described Peter as their “beautiful little boy” and said he was “forever loved” by his parents, siblings and extended family.

THE VEHICLE LEFT THE SCENE

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

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

He was taken to a Garda station to provide an evidential blood or urine sample and was later released pending analysis.

The investigation remains ongoing, and no finding of criminal liability has been made against the arrested man.

Garda forensic collision investigators examined the scene, while detectives have appealed for witnesses and anyone who may have relevant footage.

They are particularly seeking dash-cam, CCTV or other recordings from the Abbey Court area between approximately 3:20 p.m. and 4 p.m. on the afternoon of the collision.

A COMMUNITY IN SHOCK

The loss has sent shockwaves through Rathkeale.

A local community fun day scheduled for the following day was cancelled as a mark of respect to Peter and his family.

As news spread, messages of sympathy appeared online, with mourners describing the toddler as an angel and expressing heartbreak for his parents and siblings.

Peter’s wake was held in Limerick on Tuesday, where relatives, friends and members of the wider community gathered to pay their respects.

His funeral Mass was scheduled for Wednesday morning at St Mary’s Church in Rathkeale, followed by burial in the new cemetery.

“FOREVER OUR LITTLE ANGEL”

For Peter’s loved ones, the investigation can never undo the loss.

But as Gardaí continue working to establish exactly what happened that afternoon, his family is left remembering the little boy they loved — a child who had just started preschool, had his whole life ahead of him, and was taken from them far too soon.

The community now waits for answers while Peter’s family prepares to say goodbye.

For those who knew him, he will remain what the family called him:

Their beautiful little boy.
Their little angel.
Forever loved.