In a statement yesterday, Stephen Herron, the director of public prosecutions, condemned the “recent violent disorder, which is having a devastating impact on people and communities”.

“As police investigations continue, we are engaging closely with the Police Service of Northern Ireland in relation to these cases,” Mr Herron said.

“Due to the ongoing nature of the disorder, a team of prosecutors has been formed to provide prosecutorial advice to police and to support them in building cases that can be directed upon and dealt with in the courts as quickly as possible.

“Any potential hate crime offences will be prosecuted in line with the PPS hate crime policy.

“We can assure the public that where cases meet our test for prosecution, they will be robustly prosecuted at their height using offences that provide the courts with the ability to impose strong deterrent sentences on those who are convicted.”

Separately, the Irish justice minister Helen McEntee yesterday told the UK home secretary Yvette Cooper that An Garda Síochána would co-operate “if needed, on investigations involving any people from this jurisdiction who have participated in acts of violent disorder”.