Baby playing with family 'two minutes' before he was killed in tragic road accident

Several extended families have been left heartbroken after an 18-month-old boy was killed in a road accident "two minutes" after playing with his aunt.

The deadly incident took place just before 12.30pm on Wednesday afternoon, and the child was taken from the scene to University Hospital Limerick (UHL) but was pronounced dead due to his injuries.

On Wednesday evening Gardaí were still present at the scene due to an investigation into the circumstances of the devastating road traffic accident, The Irish Mirror reports. Forensic collision investigators examined the car on the Ballaghboy halting site on the Quin Road in County Clare, west Ireland.

In a meeting and prayer session with the baby's distraught parents and extended family, parish priest Father Ryan christened the dead boy along with his siblings, and also married the children's parents. The infant was due to celebrate his 2nd birthday in October.

Father Ryan said that the visit to the site to be with the family was “a necessary one” to make. He said: “This is just a pure tragedy to beset a family - a tragedy of the worst kind. I visited the family this evening and we gathered for a little prayer service on the grounds of the site.

"Praying for each one of them that they would have the strength they need at this time to be able to cope with the devastating news bestowed on them today on the death of this little child in the tragic accident. The sympathy and the prayers of the community are with them.”

In the wake of the tragedy, his aunt Annmarie Molloy posted an emotional message to her nephew on her personal Facebook page following the event. She wrote: "My little nephew. [I] was playing with you two minutes before you passed away. My heart can't take no more. Please lord, take me away from this cruel world. May you have the best bed in heaven."

Father Ryan went on to say: “It is not just a family but families as they are all extended families who are plunged into sadness and tragedy by one second. They need support and as a parish priest I was offering them that support and I would have known the family for many years. I was privileged to marry the parents a numbers of years ago.

"They are just devastated and trying to come to terms with this news.” Father Ryan added that the boy has two sisters and their mother is expecting another child next month.

Gardaí confirmed that a family liaison officer has been appointed to support the family at this time.