Baby Sister Christened at Tragic Toddler’s Funeral as Mum Vows to Tell Her About Her Brother

The baby sister of two-year-old Peter Mulcaire was christened at her brother’s funeral, allowing him to remain part of a ceremony that had originally been planned for a happier occasion.

Heartbroken mother Kerrie Mulcaire shared a poignant photograph of baby Delilah lying on Peter’s tiny blue coffin, surrounded by her parents and older brother Jim.

The little girl was dressed in the same white shawl her two brothers had worn for their baptisms.

Kerrie also shared a video of Peter with his baby sister before his death, alongside an emotional promise to make sure Delilah would always know about the brother she barely had time to grow up with.

A Christening Held Beside Her Brother’s Coffin

Delilah was christened by Fr Eamonn Fitzgibbon during Peter’s funeral service.

Her christening had originally been due to take place this Saturday, but Kerrie decided to hold it on the same day as Peter’s funeral so that her son could still be part of his sister’s special day.

A relative told The Irish Sun: “Saturday was meant to be Delilah’s christening.”

They added that Peter could now watch over his baby sister, alongside his “Dada and Moma,” who were described as devastated by the loss.

Kerrie shared a photograph of Delilah resting on Peter’s coffin and wrote: “It was never meant to be like this my baby.”

In another post, she shared footage of Peter and Delilah together before the tragedy, writing that she would tell her daughter all about her brother and make sure she knew how much he loved her.

Peter’s Final Farewell

Peter had only recently started pre-school when tragedy struck.

The two-year-old was playing with a toy tractor near his home in the Abbeycourt area of Rathkeale, Co Limerick, shortly before 4pm on Saturday when he was hit by a jeep.

He suffered catastrophic injuries and was taken to hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

A man in his 30s was later arrested at a separate location on suspicion of driving under the influence of an intoxicant. He was released without charge pending the results of analysis of an evidential sample, which could take between four and six weeks.

At Peter’s funeral at St Mary’s Church in Rathkeale, a packed congregation heard about the toddler’s short life and the love he shared with his family.

His parents wept as two of his favourite songs, “You Are My Sunshine” and “Twinkle Twinkle, Little Star,” were played inside the church.

The funeral was held at the same church where Peter had been baptised in April 2024.

Memories of a Much-Loved Little Boy

Family members brought meaningful reminders of Peter’s life to the altar during the Mass.

His parents brought forward his buggy, while a bridle and rope represented his love of ponies. His grandmothers placed a chocolate bar there, and his brother Jim brought his school bag.

Fr Fitzgibbon told mourners that Peter had left an impression on everyone he met.

Recalling Kerrie’s description of her son, he said Peter’s smile could brighten any room and described him as a “ray of sunshine.”

The priest also spoke of Peter’s playful personality, saying he was full of fun and mischief, loved chatting and had quickly become the life and soul of his new classroom.

Peter was also known for enjoying rides on his father’s shoulders.

Fr Fitzgibbon described him affectionately as a “loveable rogue” and said his favourite book was Noah’s Ark because of his love of animals.

Peter adored his dogs, Fluffy, Rocky and Molly, as well as his ponies, Spot and Millie.

The priest also recalled Peter’s love of rainbow colours, referring to a poem about finding someone in rainbows in the sky.

A Final Resting Place in Rathkeale

After the funeral Mass, Peter was laid to rest at New Cemetery in Rathkeale.

Photographs of the little boy with his family were displayed on easels beside his grave, surrounded by heart-shaped arrangements of cream and blue flowers.

Friends and family also paid tribute by dressing as some of Peter’s favourite characters, including Mario and Paw Patrol’s Chase.

The colourful tributes reflected the things that had brought joy to the toddler during his short life.

Peter’s death has also prompted an outpouring of condolences online, with people sending messages of sympathy to Kerrie, James, Peter’s siblings and the wider family.

For those closest to him, however, the funeral was not only a final goodbye to a much-loved little boy. It was also a deeply painful reminder of the future he will never get to share with his baby sister.