A man is recovering after a vicious assault in Co Kildare in which he was forced to eat part of his ear after it was cut off.

The man was set upon by a gang in Newbridge in the early hours of Monday morning.

He was dragged down a lane where he was beaten with a hammer and a metal bar.

He sustained injuries to his head, jaw and leg, as well as losing part of his ear.

Speaking to Kfm, Garda John Joe O'Connell is appealing for witnesses to come forward.

"Part of this man's ear was cut off and he was actually forced to eat it," Gda O'Connell said.

He said gardaí investigating the crime were following a definite line of inquiry but appealed for any members of the public with further information to contact Newbridge Garda Station on (045) 431212