An inquiry is underway after a teenager broke out of a care centre in Laois and stole a car to go home, prompting a garda pursuit across four counties.

The chase ended when road blocks brought the teen to a halt on the outskirts of Limerick city.

The 14-year-old youth escaped from a care facility in Mountrath in County Laois on Thursday afternoon, after stealing the keys of a staff member’s Volkswagen Passat car.

The youth, who could barely see over the driving wheel, then led Gardaí on a chase for over 100 kilometres.

At one stage, traffic on the M7 was brought to a halt between Roscrea and Limerick city, while Gardaí pursued the youth through Laois, Tipperary, Offaly, back into Tipperary and finally to Limerick, where roadblocks brought the chase to a halt on the outskirts of the city.

The juvenile, who was not injured, was arrested and later released into the care of the HSE.