A two-year-old boy, who died in a hit-and-run incident in Co Limerick, has been named locally as Peter Mulcaire.
The boy, who is understood to be from Abbeycourt, Rathkeale, was pronounced dead after being struck by a car near his home yesterday afternoon.
He was taken to University Hospital Limerick by a family member for treatment of serious injuries.
The boy was subsequently pronounced dead and gardaí have said that a post-mortem examination will take place in due course.
The incident occurred in the town, which is located around 30km southwest of Limerick city, shortly after 3.50pm.
Prayers for Peter Mulcaire will be said at Sunday masses across St Mary’s Parish, Rathkeale and the Diocese of Limerick this morning.
A family fun day that was scheduled to take place in the locality today has been cancelled as a mark of respect.
In a post on social media, the organisers said: “Due to very tragic circumstances in Rathkeale today and out of respect we are cancelling our funday in the Abbey grounds tomorrow, apologies to everyone concerned.”
Gardaí have said that a family liaison officer has been appointed to support the boy’s family.
The vehicle involved in the collision did not remain at the scene.
The driver, a man aged in his 30s, was subsequently arrested by gardaí at a different location on suspicion of driving under the influence of an intoxicant.
Gardaí said the man was taken to a garda station in Co Limerick for the purposes of providing a blood/urine evidential sample.
He has since been released pending the analysis of the sample.
Gardaí said investigations are ongoing.
The road was closed pending the completion of a technical examination of the scene by Garda Forensic Collision Investigators.
Gardaí have also appealed to witnesses to come forward.
They particularly want to speak to any road users who were travelling in the Abbey Court, Rathkeale area between 3.20pm and 4pm yesterday and who may have camera footage, including dash-cam.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact Newcastle West Garda Station on 069 20650, the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111, or any garda station.