Lorraine Williamson
The two men linked to gang violence in Scotland who were shot dead in Fuengirola on Saturday night have drawn renewed attention to the growing presence of international criminal gangs on the Costa del Sol. The shooting took place at an Irish pub packed with people after watching the Champions League final.
The attacker opened fire on the terrace before fleeing the scene. Police have launched a manhunt, but no arrests have been confirmed at the time of writing.
Victims known to police in Scotland and Spain
The deceased have been identified as Eddie Lyons Jr. and Ross Monaghan, both linked to Glasgow’s criminal underworld. Spanish authorities had been monitoring the pair as part of an ongoing investigation into gang activity in the region.
Both men had survived previous assassination attempts. Moreover, their killings point to an escalation in a long-standing feud between rival Scottish gangs, which appears to have spilled into southern Spain.
Fuengirola mayor demands urgent intervention
Ana Mula, mayor of Fuengirola, condemned the violence and called for immediate government support. She is requesting more police resources and specialised units to tackle organised crime.
“What happens here affects all of us,” Mula said, urging Madrid to treat the matter as a national security issue. The shooting occurred at around 11.30 pm on a busy Saturday night. Emergency services received multiple calls after a burst of gunfire.
Violence not confined to Málaga province
In a separate incident in Adra, Almería, a 23-year-old man was killed in a street shootout between rival families. The altercation reportedly began over loud music. The Guardia Civil confirmed the man was fatally shot in a public area.
The Guardia Civil union (AUGC) says law enforcement lacks the tools to effectively deal with this level of violence.
National strategy questioned amid police frustration
Javier Salas, the government’s delegate in Málaga, defended the ‘Costa del Sol Plan’, introduced last year to tackle drug trafficking and armed crime. He highlighted recent arrests and seizures as signs of success.
However, Salas also accused the Fuengirola mayor of politicising the issue. He insisted national police are working under difficult conditions and deserve recognition.
Yet, behind the scenes, officers say they are struggling. Many report shortages of body armour, service vehicles and personnel. This undermines their ability to confront gangs equipped with military-grade weapons.
Legal bottlenecks limit justice system’s impact
Investigators are also frustrated by delays in the Spanish legal process. Strict requirements for pre-trial detention often result in suspects being released soon after arrest.
One such case, Operation Epicúreo, saw several alleged traffickers freed despite months of work and substantial evidence. Minor procedural errors have reportedly led to similar outcomes elsewhere.
Officers say this damages morale and undermines the public’s faith in the justice system. Without faster legal proceedings and stronger cross-border cooperation, the recent wave of gang-related violence may continue unchecked.