Gardaí have launched a third investigation into sexual assault on Dublin Bus after another victim came forward last week. Gardaí believe one man is responsible for all three incidents.

The latest victim, who is thought to be in her early 20s, is understood to have made a formal statement.

Last month, the Sunday Tribune revealed that the man is being pursued by gardaí after attacking a woman on the 19A bus in Phibsboro, and then attacking a second woman twice in one year on the number 7 bus.

He has been described as being of eastern European origin and of medium build and height, with dark hair.

Eavan Derbyshire, 22, who was the second woman to make a statement to gardaí after being assaulted, has welcomed the fact that a third woman has come forward.

"It was always my hope that if what happened to me on Dublin Bus has happened to any other women, they would come forward and make a statement. This is how we can catch the man in question. It is not right that this is happening on our public transport and I personally don't want to have to be afraid to get a bus home in the evening," she said.

One garda involved in the investigation said: "A third victim has made a statement to the gardaí, after a very similar incident to the previous attacks we are investigating. It is thought it is the same man again. We are now liaising with gardaí in different stations in Dublin who also have more clear-cut CCTV footage of the man carrying out his attacks. We are confident he will be caught in the next short while," he said.

The man typically hems his victim into the inside seat on the bus, usually upstairs, and tries to touch her while masturbating.