Mr Lyons has faced criticism over a social media post about the location of migrant families who fled their homes.

Multiple cars and properties were set on fire in Ballymena while rioters hurled petrol bombs, fireworks and masonry at police officers.

Riot police were deployed around the Clonavon Terrace area on Tuesday night as hundreds of people gathered in the Co Antrim town.

The scenes of violence in Ballymena which left 15 police injured were described as ‘racist thuggery’ by a senior officer.

The mother-of-three said her children were asking why their house was being attacked during disturbances in the Co Antrim town on Monday night.

Fifteen police officers were injured in the disturbances in Ballymena on Monday night.

Police said attacks in the town are being treated as racially motivated hate crimes.