Gardaí are investigating a fatal hit-and-run in which a “little angel” two-year-old boy was killed in Co Limerick on Saturday.
The boy, named locally as Peter Mulcaire, from Abbeycourt, Rathkeale, was pronounced dead after he suffered catastrophic injuries when he was struck.
The fatal collision occurred near the boy’s home around 4pm.
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.
A garda spokesperson told the Irish Examiner that he has since been released pending analysis of the evidential sample.
The youngster had been playing on a toy tractor when he was struck, it is understood.
A Rathkeale community fun day scheduled for Sunday was cancelled by the organisers out of respect to the boy and his family and the “tragic circumstances” of Peter Mulcaire’s death.
Friends and relatives of the boy posted photographs of him on social media and shared their sympathies and shock with his family.
A neighbour of the child’s family, wrote: “l’ve never see sadder, rest in peace to our little neighbour Peter, may God comfort his family tonight…my heart breaks for his family, a little angel.”
An autopsy will take place in due course.
A Family Liaison Officer (FLO) has been appointed to support the family of the deceased.
“The investigation is ongoing,” the spokesperson said.
Gardaí are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed this collision to come forward.
Road users who were travelling in the vicinity of Abbey Court Rathkeale between 3.20pm and 4pm on Saturday and who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) are asked to make it available to investigating gardaí.
Anyone with information should contact Newcastle West Garda Station on (069) 20650, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.