LAST UPDATE | 5 Sep

GARDAÍ ARE INVESTIGATING a fatal hit-and-run in which a two-year-old boy was killed in Co Limerick.

The boy has been named locally as Peter Mulcaire, from Abbeycourt, Rathkeale. Friends and relatives of the boy posted photographs of him on social media and shared their sympathies and shock with his family.

The incident happened near the boy’s home shortly after 3.50pm on Saturday and gardaí say that the vehicle involved in the collision did not remain at the scene

Gardaí arrested a man in his 30s, on suspicion of driving under the influence of an intoxicant, for the purpose of providing a sample of urine/blood. He was released after he provided the sample.

Contrary to earlier reports the man was not arrested for the purposes of questioning him.

It’s believed that the young child had been playing on a toy tractor when he was struck by the jeep. 

Earlier, paramedics had been alerted to the town following the incident and brought the boy by ambulance to Adare village.

The paramedics then handed over the boy to paramedics waiting in an air ambulance in a field outside the village.

The boy was airlifted by air ambulance to University Hospital Limerick where he was pronounced dead this afternoon. 

A garda family liaison officer was appointed to the boy’s family as the investigations into the circumstances of his death continue.

Gardaí were also gathering CCTV footage from homes in the Rathkeale area as part of the probe into the boy’s death.

Gardaí were also anxious to speak to any persons with dash cam footage or doorbell footage that may help them with their enquiries.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Newcastle West Garda Station, the Garda Confidential Line, or any Garda station.

- With reporting by Rónán Duffy