A HOMELESS man assaulted on a street in Co Kildare by a masked gang had part of his ear cut or bitten off and was forced by his attackers to eat the severed ear.

Gardaí are investigating the case even though the victim has so far failed to make a formal statement of complaint.

The gang involved were allegedly armed with metal bars and hammers.

The incident occurred in Newbridge about 1am on Monday.

The victim is well known on the streets of the town, where he has lived homeless in recent times.

Aged 21 years, he is originally from the Curragh, Co Kildare.

He was on Eyre Street in Newbridge when he was attacked.

He sustained bruising and cuts to his face, head, jaw and arms and also lost the top portion of his left ear during the attack.

Garda sources said it was unclear if the ear was cut off or possibly bitten off by one of the attackers.

The victim was initially treated at the scene by paramedics.

He was then taken by ambulance to Naas General Hospital before being transferred to St James’s Hospital in Dublin for treatment.

He told the medical staff treating him that the men who attacked him wore balaclavas and forced him to eat the missing segment of his ear.

He discharged himself from hospital and has so far not made any complaint about the incident to gardaí.

However, gardaí have confirmed that they are investigating the claim that the victim was forced to eat his own ear.

Speaking to KFM, Garda John Joe O’Connell of Newbridge garda station said: “Part of this man’s ear was cut off and he was actually forced to eat it, that’s how serious this is.”