Two Scottish men with known criminal backgrounds were fatally shot at Monaghan’s Bar in Fuengirola, Spain, on May 31, 2025. Ross Monaghan (43) and Eddie Lyons Jr. (46), both affiliated with the Lyons crime family, were killed while watching the UEFA Champions League final. A masked gunman opened fire on the pair; Lyons was shot outside the bar, and Monaghan was pursued and shot inside. The assailant fled the scene in a getaway car.
Spanish police have confirmed that the gunman was a professional hitman affiliated with the rival Daniel crime group. The suspect, identified as 44-year-old Michael Riley from Merseyside, was arrested in Liverpool after attempting to flee to a non-extradition country. He is currently facing extradition proceedings in the UK. Authorities describe the attack as a calculated assassination carried out with high professionalism. Investigations suggest that both Monaghan and Lyons were specifically targeted based on prior intelligence.
The murders are believed to be linked to a longstanding feud between the Lyons and Daniel gangs, dating back over 20 years. This rivalry has been marked by violent incidents, including shootings and assaults in both Scotland and Spain. While Police Scotland has stated that there is no current intelligence connecting the Fuengirola killings to ongoing gang violence in Scotland, the incident has raised concerns about the international reach of organized crime.
The mayor of Fuengirola has called for increased resources to combat gang-related violence in the area, highlighting the growing influence of international criminal organizations on the Costa del Sol. The double murder has prompted renewed attention to the need for enhanced cooperation between Spanish and British law enforcement agencies to address cross-border organized crime.
As the investigation continues, authorities are working to determine the full scope of the crime and any potential connections to other criminal activities. The case underscores the challenges faced by international law enforcement in tackling organized crime and the need for coordinated efforts to disrupt criminal networks operating across borders.
