Police investigate series of assaults in the North

Police in Belfast are investigating reports that a 44-year-old man was assaulted near the city centre in the early hours of this morning.

It's understood that the incident happened between around 1.30am between Dunbarlink and Gordon Street.

The 44-year-old in being treated in hospital for serious head injuries.

Elsewhere three men are being questioned in connection with an incident in Co Down during which a man was seriously assaulted.

It happened yesterday afternoon in the Burrenreagh area of Castlewellan.

The 32-year-old is said to be in a stable condition.