A man has had part of his ear cut off in an attack in Dublin's south inner city.

It follows a similar assault on a man in the area just over two weeks ago.

Gardai in Kilmainham are investigating after the man was attacked at the Basin Street flats in Dublin 8.

The 39 year old was set up upon with a machete type blade which was used to cut off a part of his ear.

He's also been treated in hospital for hand injuries from the attack on Monday.

It's the second such case being investigated by detectives in the south inner city.

A man had part of his ear cut off in a knife attack less than 2 km away at Whitefriar Gardens on the first of August.

However gardai don't believe the two violent assaults are linked.