A somber crowd gathered in Glasgow under gray skies to say farewell to two notorious figures of Scotland’s underworld—Ross Monaghan and Eddie Lyons Jr.—who were gunned down in Spain just over a month ago.
Despite their criminal ties, the turnout for their funeral services showed how deeply rooted their presence was in their communities.
The two men were killed in broad daylight outside a bar in Fuengirola, Spain, shortly after the Champions League final.
Their violent deaths have sparked renewed fears of escalating gang violence stretching from the Costa del Sol to the streets of Glasgow.
Hundreds Gather Despite Rain and Threats
The joint funerals were held at Bishopbriggs Crematorium in North Glasgow, and the turnout was overwhelming.
Around 600 mourners filled the grounds—far beyond the chapel’s 120-seat capacity.
Many stood outside in the pouring rain as the services were broadcast over loudspeakers and screens.
Silver hearses carried floral tributes spelling out each man’s name.
A violinist and guitarist performed moving renditions of songs during the service.
The printed order of service featured photos of
Monaghan and Lyons Jr. and messages from their families filled the pages. One touching quote read: “Every man dies, but not every man really lives.”
An Emotional Farewell with Personal Tributes
Family and friends shared memories of the men, painting a more human picture than their headlines ever allowed.
Lyons Jr. was described as someone who loved Smooth Radio and always put others first.
His father, Eddie Lyons Sr., served as a pallbearer, visibly emotional throughout the ceremony.
Monaghan was remembered as fiercely competitive, always determined to be the best at anything he attempted.
A montage of both men played to an acoustic version of Alphaville’s Forever Young, closing the service on a heartfelt note.
Chilling Threats Loom Over the Ceremonies
Despite the grief, a dark cloud hovered over the funerals.
In the days leading up to the services, anonymous online threats emerged warning that anyone attending would be seen as an ally of the deceased and targeted in the same way.
The threat, reportedly connected to a Dubai-based crime boss with links to the Lyons gang, warned: “One man and his ego caused all this… this is now time to fight fire with fire.”
The message only deepened concerns that the gang feud was far from over.
Details Emerge About the Deadly Bar Ambush in Spain
The double murder took place at Monaghan’s own bar in Fuengirola. Lyons Jr. was sitting outside when a hooded gunman walked up and shot him dead with a single bullet.
Monaghan tried to flee but was caught inside after the shooter’s weapon briefly jammed.
Once the gun was fixed, Monaghan was shot multiple times and slumped against a wall as he lay dying.
Footage later showed bystanders attempting to help Lyons Jr., but he died at the scene.
Spanish authorities identified the shooter as a member of the rival Daniels crime gang, confirming it was a targeted hit rooted in the long-running feud between the two Glasgow gangs.
Arrest Made in the Double Murder Investigation
Spanish police arrested 44-year-old Michael Riley from Merseyside in connection with the killings.
Authorities allege Riley was planning to flee to a tax haven island before he was caught.
He’s now in custody in the UK and awaiting extradition to Spain.
Investigators believe Riley used multiple disguises while making his way from Spain to Portugal and then to Leeds before his arrest.
The timing of the killings aligns with increased gang violence across Glasgow and Edinburgh, including firebombings and vicious assaults.
Gang Feud Fueled by Betrayal and Revenge
The Lyons gang and their bitter rivals, the Daniels clan, have been locked in a decades-long turf war over drugs and power.
Lyons Jr. had joined Monaghan in Spain after a casual golfing trip, unaware it would be his final journey.
Insiders now say the feud has reignited, with violence in Glasgow ramping up again.
A recent attack saw a car driven straight into the living room of a home linked to the Lyons.
Meanwhile, Lyons’ top boss—known only as Steven and reportedly living in Dubai—was notably absent from the funeral, raising speculation about his next move.
Shadowy Figures and a Web of Criminal Connections
The feud stretches beyond Scotland’s borders.
Reports suggest a former Rangers FC ultras leader, Ross McGill, is directing a vendetta campaign from Dubai under the alias “Tamo Junto.”
He allegedly sought revenge after being conned out of half a million pounds in counterfeit cash by gangsters tied to the Daniels clan.
McGill, once a prominent figure in the Union Bears supporters’ group, reportedly fled Scotland after encrypted messaging platform Encrochat was cracked by European police.
His former connections at Rangers are now stunned by revelations of his criminal double life.
Monaghan’s Business Ventures Behind the Scenes
While living in Spain, Monaghan had set up a seemingly legitimate business called Costa Shop And Drop, selling British snacks and groceries to expats.
His catalog ranged from Irn-Bru to Weetabix, under the tagline “Craving Your Favourite British Food?”
This quiet entrepreneurial side was a stark contrast to his history of violence.
He had survived a previous assassination attempt in 2017 outside a Glasgow school while dropping off his daughter and had once been acquitted of the murder of gangland figure Kevin “Gerbil” Carroll.
Police Crack Down as Violence Escalates in Scotland
Over 50 people have been arrested in recent months as Police Scotland clamps down on the gang warfare.
Chief Constable Jo Farrell has vowed to track down overseas crime bosses, working closely with prosecutors and the National Crime Agency.
“We’re coming after you,” she told the BBC, assuring the public that the force is committed to bringing violent criminals to justice.
Farrell added that recent intelligence and arrests have helped “lower the temperature” in Scotland’s crime hotspots.
A Gangland Legacy That Refuses to Fade
As Monaghan’s old bar reopens under a new name—The Irish Rover—the violence he and Lyons Jr. were entangled in still casts a long shadow.
Their funerals may have marked the end of their stories, but the war between rival clans rages on, now more global than ever.
What lies ahead remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: Scotland’s gangland drama is far from over, and the ripple effects of two men’s brutal deaths are still being felt across continents.