Bodies of gunned-down Ross Monaghan & Eddie Lyons Jr set to be returned to families

Scottish Sun

14 hours ago

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SPANISH authorities have given permission for the bodies of Ross Monaghan and Eddie Lyons Jnr to be released to loved-ones.
Details of the move have emerged almost exactly one month after the Lyons gang kingpins was gunned down in a pub assassination.
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Eddie Lyons Jnr, left, and Ross Monaghan, were murdered on May 31 in Spain.
Credit: The Scottish Sun
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CCTV captured the moment Monaghan met his end as he was pursued by a gunman.
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The pub in Fuengirola, Spain, where Monaghan and Lyons were shot dead.
Spanish cops launched a probe into the double murder that resulted in the arrest of a suspect who is now fighting against extradition from the UK.
Now four weeks on from the May 31 massacre, it's understood plans are being made to bring Monaghan, 43, and Lyons, 46 back to Scotland.
A Spanish judicial official spokesperson said today: 'Fuengirola's Court of Instruction Number Two which is coordinating the judicial investigation into the murders has authorised the release of the bodies to their families for them to do what they believe to be appropriate.'
It's not clear when the bodies will be repatriated and no details of funeral arrangements have been made public.
We told earlier how families of the men had considered holding a joint ceremony in Glasgow and that associates of the Irish Kinahan cartel had pledged to attend.
In the wake of the killings, Kinahan cartel leaders gave their support to the families and promised them: "We'll get this sorted."
Allies of fugitive Irish kingpin Daniel Kinahan have also told grieving loved ones they intend to pay their respects at the funerals of the executed hoods.
We told how Monaghan was key in helping to cement the Glasgow-based Lyons' ties with the Kinahans, who have a £4million bounty on their heads in the US.
A relative told The Scottish Sun: "Ross was very, very close with the Irish guys. He had a very close relationship with them.
"The family have had a few phone calls from them to say, 'Sorry for your loss'.
Horror moment Scots gangster Ross Monaghan is shot dead by hitman at Spanish pub
"The words they used were: 'We'll get it sorted'.
"There are top Kinahan members who have already asked about the funeral and about the dates.
"The bodies will be repatriated and there is talk about a joint funeral, although that's not certain at this stage."
American and Irish crimefighters are hunting Kinahan, 47, his godfather dad Christy, 67, and brother Christy Jnr, 43.
We told how alleged hitman Michael Riley is to fight extradition.
The 44-year-old, of Huyton, Liverpool, appeared earlier this month at Westminster Magistrates Court as part of a bid to have him shipped to Spain.
Riley's full extradition hearing will be on October 9 and is expected to last all day.
The Lyons gang kingpins were drinking in Monaghans bar after watching the Champions League Cup final when they were gunned down.
A hooded assassin was captured on CCTV storming the boozer and shooting both men dead in front of horrified holiday makers and staff.
We told how cops in Spain and Scotland gave conflicting information over who is believed to have ordered the double assassination.
Police Scotland first insisted three days after the slaughter they had 'no intelligence' to suggest the murders were connected to an ongoing turf war here.
However, at a sensational press conference in Malaga their Spain counterparts said the man they want extradited over the killings was 'an internal member of the rival Daniel gang'.
That prompted the Scottish force to repeat their insistence there is no Daniel link to the slayings - a position also held by members of Monaghan's family.
A relative of the murdered mob boss said earlier this month: 'The one thing people need to know is the Daniels are not behind this.'
We told how a captured mobile phone holds the key to proving the assassinations in Spain of two Scots crime kingpins are linked to their Daniel gang rivals, sources claim.
Cops are understood to have seized the mobile from an alleged hitman suspected of shooting dead the duo.
Insiders say it contains data allegedly linking Riley to Daniel hoods who Spanish detectives reckon are behind the double slaying.
Career criminal Monaghan – who fled Scotland for Spain after a failed attempt on his life in 2017 – was tried but acquitted over the murder of notorious Glasgow hood Kevin 'Gerbil' Carroll at an Asda car park in 2010.
In August 2017 he and Lyons Jr, both members of the Lyons Glasgow crime family, were cleared of being involved in a brutal street attack on three men outside the Campsie bar in Bishopbriggs, near Glasgow.
After Monaghan's brutal gunshot killing, it emerged the career criminal also ran an online supermarket selling expats a taste from home as a successful sideline to the Costa del Sol pub where he was murdered.
He became a director of Costa Shop And Drop after fleeing to Spain following a botched hit attempt outside a Glasgow primary school.
Monaghan, cornered inside his bar moments after 43-year-old Eddie Lyons Jnr was shot dead, started selling Walkers Crisps, Weetabix, Colman's Mustard, Pot Noodle snacks and even Irn-Bru with the catchy sales slogan: 'Craving Your Favourite British Food?'
The company, which stocks products at a Malaga warehouse, also markets toiletries and beauty products.
It offers next-day delivery on all orders placed within the Costa del Sol, describing itself online as a 'new and exciting' service and boasting: 'Our prices are often lower than the market leading competitors.'
Monaghan, a senior member of the Lyons gang, was appointed sole director of the Spanish firm on February 8, 2021.