One man has been arrested in relation to what is believed to be a racist attack on a Latvian man in Lisburn.
The man was left with a serious eye injury after being badly beaten by two men with baseball bats and sticks on Moria Road at around 6am. He is being treated at the Royal Victoria Hospital where he is said to be in a stable condition.
One of the accused is described as being of slim build and was wearing a white T-shirt with blood on it. The second man was of stocky build and had a mustache.
Police in the North are also investigating three other separate serious assaults which took place in the early hours of the morning.
A sectarian motive could be behind an attack on a 26-year-old man in Antrim who was beaten by up to five hooded men carrying bats and sticks at a bonfire site on Orchard Way shortly before midnight. He is being treated for his injuries in Antrim Area Hospital.
A spokesperson for the PSNI said a sectarian motive was just one line of inquiry being pursued.
Around the same time a man was stabbed in the head with a screwdriver on Margaret Street, Newry. He remains in Daisyhill Hospital today where his condition is not believed to be life threatening.
His attacker is said to be about 24 and 5ft 6ins tall. He has a stocky build, black wavy hair and wore a checked shirt. A second suspect is also about 24, and 5ft 4ins tall. He has a tan complexion, brown eyes and was dressed in blue denim jeans and a shirt.
And a 40-year-old man received severe face and head injuries when he was set upon shortly after 1.30am on Downpatrick Street, Crossgar. He was taken to Ulster Hospital for treatment.