‘OUR BEAUTIFUL LITTLE BOY’: FAMILY’S HEARTBREAKING TRIBUTES AFTER TODDLER, 2, DIES IN LIMERICK HIT-AND-RUN

A devastated family has paid heartbreaking tribute to a two-year-old boy who was killed in a suspected hit-and-run in County Limerick, describing him as a beautiful child who was deeply loved by everyone around him.

Little Peter Mulcaire, from Abbeycourt in Rathkeale, died after being struck by a Jeep near his home at around 3:50pm on Saturday.

The toddler was reportedly playing on a toy tractor when the collision happened.

He suffered catastrophic injuries and was rushed to University Hospital Limerick by a family member, but he was later pronounced dead.

‘A LITTLE ANGEL’

As news of Peter’s death spread through Rathkeale, tributes poured in from relatives, friends and neighbours.

Those who knew the little boy remembered him with affection, describing him as loving, beautiful and full of sweetness.

One neighbour wrote that they had “never seen sadder” circumstances and offered prayers for Peter’s family.

Another tribute described the youngster as a “little angel”, as the community struggled to come to terms with the tragedy.

Peter had only recently reached another milestone in his short life.

He had just started pre-school, with his mother Kerrie recently sharing photographs of her little boy smiling proudly on his first day.

The images, taken only days before his death, have made the tragedy even more painful for those who knew the family.

THE MOMENT EVERYTHING CHANGED

The collision happened on Abbey Court in Rathkeale shortly before 4pm.

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

Peter was taken to hospital by a family member, but his injuries proved fatal.

The road was subsequently closed while Garda forensic collision investigators carried out a technical examination.

A post-mortem examination is due to take place as part of the investigation.

DRIVER ARRESTED

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 in Limerick, where he provided an evidential blood or urine sample.

He has since been released pending analysis of that sample.

No charge has been announced against him in connection with Peter’s death at this stage. The investigation remains ongoing.

Gardaí have appointed a Family Liaison Officer to support Peter’s relatives as investigators continue to establish exactly what happened.

RATHKEALE IN MOURNING

The tragedy has shaken the local community.

A community fun day that had been scheduled for Sunday was cancelled out of respect for Peter and his grieving family.

Prayers were also due to be offered for the little boy at Sunday Masses in Rathkeale and across the Diocese of Limerick.

Fr Eamonn Fitzgibbon described Rathkeale as a close-knit and resilient community, as residents gathered around the family during an extraordinarily difficult time.

But for Peter’s loved ones, the loss is far more personal.

A little boy who had only just begun pre-school, who was photographed smiling proudly at the start of a new chapter, is now being remembered through photographs and messages of love.

GARDAÍ APPEAL FOR WITNESSES

Investigators are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the collision to come forward.

Gardaí are particularly interested in anyone who travelled through the Abbey Court and Rathkeale area between approximately 3:20pm and 4pm on Saturday.

Anyone with dash-cam, CCTV or other relevant footage is also being asked to contact investigators.

The investigation remains ongoing.

And as Peter’s family mourns the loss of their little boy, a community is left asking how a normal Saturday afternoon could have ended in such unimaginable heartbreak.

Peter was only two years old — and his family now faces a lifetime without him.