UPDATE: A man has been arrested in connection with the chilling murders of two Glasgow gangsters in Spain, marking a significant development in this high-profile case. Michael Terrence Riley, aged 45, is accused of shooting Ross Monaghan and Eddie Lyons Jnr dead at a bar in Fuengirola on May 31, 2023. This shocking incident has sent ripples through both the criminal underworld and law enforcement agencies.
The gruesome killings occurred while the victims were watching the UEFA Champions League final, raising questions about the escalating violence linked to ongoing turf wars between rival gangs in Scotland. Authorities report that Riley fled the scene and was subsequently apprehended in Liverpool on June 13, just two weeks after the murders.
Riley was initially reluctant to be extradited to Spain, citing concerns over his safety in a Spanish prison. His attorney, Renata Pinter, expressed fears that he would face threats from other gang members. However, in a surprising turn of events, Riley consented to his extradition on October 7, 2023, abandoning his legal fight.
Chief Superintendent Pedro Agudo Novo, leading the investigation, revealed that Riley was on the verge of fleeing to a “paradise island tax haven” on the day of his arrest. He described the execution of the murders as “professional,” noting Riley’s methodical approach in executing both victims despite encountering a jammed weapon.
The violence surrounding the Lyons and Daniel crime clans has intensified since March 2023, with 62 arrests made by Police Scotland as part of the ongoing investigation. The feud between these gangs has been marked by a series of brutal attacks, including shootings and firebombings across Glasgow and Edinburgh.
Monaghan and Lyons Jnr were not only high-ranking figures within the Lyons clan but also key players in Glasgow’s drug trade, which has been fiercely contested for nearly two decades. Their murders are seen as a continuation of this deadly rivalry, which has previously resulted in high-profile killings, including the assassination of Michael Lyons in 2006.
As the investigation unfolds, authorities are focusing on the broader implications of these gang-related murders. There is still no confirmed link between the Fuengirola shootings and the ongoing turf war in Scotland, yet the potential for further violence remains a pressing concern.
What happens next? Riley’s extradition to Spain is the next critical step in this case, and law enforcement will closely monitor the situation as it develops. With the stakes high and tensions palpable, this story is far from over. Stay tuned for more updates as this urgent situation evolves.
