Abuse victims' group guarantees safety of Minister in talks

Irish Survivors of Child Abuse say they are confident there would be no threat to the safety of Minister for Education Noel Dempsey if he meets with abuse survivors' groups.

The assurance comes after it was revealed a senior civil-servant was assaulted by an abuse survivor two weeks ago.

SOCA co-ordinator John Kelly says he believes the attack on the civil servant was an isolated incident.

However, the Irish group SOCA is criticising Minister Dempsey for refusing to attend a meeting today where abuse survivors will discuss the collapse of the Laffoy Commission to inquire into child abuse.