Man (34) charged with New Haven attack on McCann

A man has been charged with assaulting award-winning Irish novelist Colum McCann at the end of June in New Haven, Connecticut. US police say Connecticut man Michael Mott (34) has been charged with assault outside the Study Hotel.

Police say witness accounts suggest McCann tried to help a woman involved in a dispute in the hotel lobby. The Let the Great World Spin author was treated for significant facial injuries at Yale-New Haven Hospital.

Police in New Haven say Mr Mott has confessed to assaulting Mr McCann. He had apparently had a dispute with his wife and McCann had asked if she needed help.

McCann last week described it as “a shocking, cowardly attack in broad daylight on a busy street. I was trying to help someone out. I was cold-clocked without warning. I had a severe concussion, a broken cheekbone, some broken teeth and a spirit that has been temporarily bruised.

"But I am recovering quickly and I've been overwhelmed by the generous response from friends and strangers alike. Luckily, there was an off-duty paramedic on the street and he came straight to my aid. The irony of it all is that I was at a conference on Empathy at Yale University with a non-profit I'm involved in, Narrative 4.

“I suffered a few injuries but nothing that can’t be quickly healed. If anything, I was shaken out of the ruts of my ordinary perception and I have been struck by the genuine caring nature of people asking about how they can help out.”