Man jailed for unprovoked attack on Cork writer whose life 'has altered significantly'

The victim, who was planning to use his Master’s degree in Asian studies to teach in Japan, has only left his home six times since the attack

Mark McConnell pleaded guilty to assault causing serious harm to Brian Whelan on September 15, 2019, at Winthrop Street, Cork. File photo: Eddie O'Hare

A short story writer due to give a reading at Cork’s international short story festival had his life turned upside down when an attacker knocked him unconscious with an unprovoked blow in Cork City.

The injured party was also planning to use his Master’s degree in Asian studies to teach in Japan but as a result of the attack that left him seriously injured he has only left his home six times since it happened in September 2019.