Irish novelist McCann beaten in Connecticut hotel

Award-winning novelist Colum McCann has been assaulted in a Connecticut hotel and hospitalised with significant facial injuries.

The Associated Press reports the Dublin-born author of "Let the Great World Spin" was beaten on Saturday night in New Haven.

Police say witness accounts suggest he may have tried to help a woman in a dispute.

It is understood McCann gave information to detectives and they have significant leads they hope will soon lead to an arrest.