What was meant to be a somber day of remembrance turned into a tense affair as hundreds gathered in Glasgow for the funerals of two notorious gang figures—Ross Monaghan and Eddie Lyons Jnr—who were gunned down in Spain.
Despite chilling threats posted online warning mourners to stay away, nearly 600 people turned up to pay their respects.
Shot Dead in Spain After Champions League Final
Monaghan, 43, and Lyons Jnr, 46, were killed on May 31 in Fuengirola, a resort town in Spain’s Costa del Sol.
The deadly attack happened just hours after the Champions League final, outside Monaghan’s own bar.
Lyons was sitting outdoors when a hooded gunman shot him dead with a single bullet.
Monaghan tried to escape but was ultimately shot multiple times after the attacker’s weapon initially jammed.
Hundreds Attend Funeral Despite Threats
Back in Glasgow, the pair were cremated at Bishopbriggs Crematorium in private back-to-back ceremonies.
Though their names were initially kept off public schedules, a digital display later revealed both services were happening that day.
With seating limited to just 120, many stood shoulder-to-shoulder in the packed chapel, while nearly 200 others stood in the rain outside, listening via speakers as the service was broadcast on screens.
Violent Threats Shared Online Before the Service
In the lead-up to the funeral, an ominous threat circulated on social media.
It warned anyone attending would be treated “the exact same way” as the slain men—essentially painting them as targets too.
The message referenced a Dubai-based gang boss allegedly tied to the Lyons group and accused him of being responsible for sparking the conflict.
Emotional Farewells with Flowers and Music
Both men’s coffins were carried in silver hearses adorned with their names spelled out in large floral tributes.
The order of service featured photos and personal messages—Monaghan’s read, “This particular diamond is we extra special,” while Lyons Jnr’s simply said, “We love you always forever.”
The service ended with a touching montage of the pair and an acoustic version of Alphaville’s “Forever Young,” playing as mourners remembered their lives.
Long-Running Feud Between Gangs Still Simmering
Ross Monaghan and Eddie Lyons Jnr were both senior members of the Lyons gang, known for its decades-long feud with the rival Daniels clan.
The brutal shooting in Spain is suspected to be part of this gangland war, which has deep roots in Glasgow’s underworld.
Spanish police believe the hit was carried out by a member of the Daniels gang—someone who wasn’t a hired outsider but part of the rival crew.
The shooter’s efficiency and escape have added to speculation of an inside job.
Arrest Made in Connection With Spain Murders
Last month, British man Michael Riley, 44, was arrested in connection with the double murder.
Spanish authorities claimed Riley planned to escape to a “paradise island tax haven” and used various disguises while moving from Spain to Portugal and eventually to Leeds.
He’s currently in custody in the UK, awaiting extradition.
The Conflict Has Now Spread Across Scotland
The killings in Spain have reportedly escalated gang tensions back in Scotland.
In one incident, a car was rammed straight into the living room of a home linked to the Lyons family.
And the violence doesn’t seem to be slowing down—with ongoing attacks and firebombings in both Glasgow and Edinburgh.
Police say the retaliation is being fueled by a group tied to former Rangers football fan leader Ross McGill, now allegedly operating from Dubai under a group known as Tamo Junto (TMJ).
He’s believed to be targeting figures within the Daniels and Edinburgh-based Mark Richardson’s network over a major cocaine deal gone wrong.
Former Football Ultra Allegedly Becomes Gangland Boss
Ross McGill, once a prominent Rangers ultra and respected figure within the Union Bears, is now thought to be orchestrating gang operations from abroad.
Once seen as a loyal supporter at Ibrox, he reportedly left the club in 2021, citing personal reasons—but behind the scenes, authorities claim he was deeply embedded in organized crime.
Police believe McGill fled the UK after law enforcement cracked the encrypted messaging network Encrochat, which exposed criminal dealings across Europe.
Police Promise to Pursue Foreign-Based Gangsters
While Police Scotland is cautious about officially linking the Spanish murders to local violence, they’ve acknowledged growing tensions.
Chief Constable Jo Farrell recently told the BBC that authorities are working closely with prosecutors and the National Crime Agency to track down gang leaders operating from abroad.
“We’ll be coming after you,” she warned, adding that law enforcement has gained significant ground in recent months, collecting intelligence and making arrests that could help cool tensions across Scotland.
Monaghan’s Business in Spain and Final Chapter
Before his death, Ross Monaghan had reinvented himself as a businessman in Spain.
He ran an online shop called Costa Shop And Drop, offering British snacks like Irn-Bru, Weetabix, and Pot Noodle to expats longing for a taste of home.
This business came after a 2017 hit attempt on him in Glasgow, during which he was shot while dropping off his daughter at school.
Now, the bar in Fuengirola where he was gunned down has been reopened under new management and a new name—The Irish Rover.
But the memory of what happened there still casts a long shadow.