A 27-year-old man is in hospital following a serious assault in Belfast last night.
At around 1.50am two women were approached by three men outside a bank on the Dublin road. An altercation broke out and two other men intervened on behalf of the women.
One of the women was punched and one of the men, who assisted the woman, was also kicked and punched before he fell to the ground. This man is in a critical condition in hospital with a fractured skull.
The three men then ran off to the city centre.
At the same time a 34-year-old man was walking along the Dublin road on his own, when the three men ran by.
This man also received a punch to the face and is being treated in hospital for an eye injury.
Anyone with information is asked to contact detectives at Musgrave Street Station.