A man had part of his ear bitten off and more than 50 arrests were made this weekend in Co Donegal during this year’s Donegal International Rally.

The arrests, which took place on Friday and Saturday nights, are double the amount compared to the same period last year.

The majority of the arrests were for public order offences and dangerous driving. One driver was arrested for endangerment when he allegedly put other drivers and pedestrians at risk.

The young man who had part of his ear bitten off was taken to Letterkenny University Hospital following a huge melee in Carrigart. Gardaí do not believe the attack was carried out by those connected to the rally.

A number of people including the bite victim needed treatment for their injuries.

The injured man was able to give gardaí­ a statement in Letterkenny on Satuirday afternoon.

Experienced gardaí­ said they were shocked to discover that some of those arrested for dangerous driving are middle-aged men.

The majority of those arrested will be dealt with at a special sitting of Letterkenny court on July 4th.

Garda Inspector Michael Harrison, head of the Donegal Traffic Corps, stressed that the vast majority of rally fans were well-behaved.

The arrests were made following a security operation which included the use of the Garda helicopter.

Thousands of rally fans flowed into Donegal for the event which brings hundreds of thousands of euro to the area.

Bed and breakfasts and hotels were booked out for months while local Letterkenny GAA Club, St Eunan’s, turned their grounds into a campsite for visitors.