Two-year-old boy dies after being struck by jeep in Co Limerick

The vehicle involved in the collision in Rathkeale did not remain at the scene

The collision happened on Abbey Court in Rathkeale shortly after 3.50pm on Saturday. File Picture

A two-year-old boy has died after he was struck by a jeep in Co Limerick on Saturday afternoon. 

Gardaí have issued an appeal for witnesses to the collision involving a jeep and a pedestrian, which happened on Abbey Court in Rathkeale shortly after 3.50pm.

The pedestrian, a two-year-old male child, was conveyed to University Hospital Limerick by a family member for treatment of serious injuries. He was subsequently pronounced deceased. An autopsy will take place in due course.

A Family Liaison Officer (FLO) has been appointed to support the family of the deceased.

The vehicle involved in the collision did not remain at the scene. The driver, a man in his 30s, was subsequently arrested at a different location by gardaí on suspicion of driving under the influence of an intoxicant.

He was then brought to a Garda Station in Co Limerick for the purposes of providing a blood/urine evidential sample. A garda spokesperson told the Irish Examiner that he has since been released pending analysis of the evidential sample. 

"The investigation is ongoing," the spokesperson said. 

The road has been closed pending a technical examination by Garda Forensic Collision Investigators.

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.