A Kildare man was rushed to hospital after being forced to eat his own ear.

The 21-year-old was beaten up by a number of people in the town of Newbridge, (pictured), about thirty miles from Dublin and was also hit with a hammer and metal bar.

He was also forced to eat part of his own ear that the assailants cut off

Speaking to Kildare FM radio Police Officer John Joe O’Connell said: "Part of this man’s ear was cut off and he was actually forced to eat it, that’s how serious this is.

"If it happened in my family I’d want someone to come forward with information."

The horrific incident took place in the center of town shortly before 1.a.m.