The council has insisted that the injunction it sought from the High Court was still “active” in spite of notices not being displayed.

The order, which banned further materials being added to four fires, states it is brought into effect by “affixing notice of any order made by the court to lampposts or any other conspicuous portion of the site”.

A spokesperson for Belfast City Council said: “The injunction was not fixed at the sites, however, the order was published on the Belfast City Council website and carried extensively in the media and social media.

“The order was active. The court has jurisdiction, in any circumstances, to deem that an individual has had service or sufficient knowledge of the terms of the injunction as to render them in contempt of court in the event that the terms were breached.”

A spokesperson for the Lord Chief Justice’s office said: “The court was asked to make an order for the purpose of prohibiting anyone from going onto or remaining on any of the sites with materials for a bonfire.

“The order was made in the exact terms requested by the council. It is for the council to clarify what is meant by the terms of the order.

“It is not appropriate for the court to advise whether service of the order has been effected.”