Man’s ear partially bitten off at car rally

A man had part of his ear bitten off and 50 people were arrested during this year’s Donegal International Rally.

The arrests are double the amount last year.

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

The young man who had part of his ear bitten off was rushed to Letterkenny University Hospital, following a huge melee in Carrigart.

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

He was able to give gardaí a statement yesterday afternoon.

Gardaí, last evening, said the ear-bite attack might not have directly involved rally fans, but an investigation was continuing.

Gardaí said they were shocked to discover that some of those arrested for dangerous driving were middle-aged.

Residents of several areas have been fuming at the lack of garda numbers over the weekend.

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

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 that included the use of the Garda helicopter.

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

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