Suspect in Spanish double murder arrested in Liverpool after 'fleeing three countries in 15 hours'
The double shooting took place outside Monaghan's Bar in Fuengirola, Malaga, on 31 May. The victims have been named locally as Eddie Lyons Junior and Ross Monaghan.
Merseyside Police arrested a 44-year-old man in Liverpool on Friday 13 June, acting on behalf of the Spanish authorities.
The National Crime Agency (NCA) supported the operation, with officers from its National Extradition Unit involved.
The man, who appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court the following day, is now facing extradition to Spain to stand trial for two counts of murder. He was remanded in custody.
Spanish National Police, on Tuesday 17 June, revealed that the suspect had crossed through three countries in less than 15 hours after the shooting, using disguises and altering his appearance to avoid recognition.
They added that he then went into hiding in the UK and changed addresses to evade detection.
Two properties in Liverpool were searched during the investigation, which resulted in his arrest following the issue of an international arrest warrant by a magistrates' court in Fuengirola.
A Spanish police spokesperson said: "In just seven days, the alleged perpetrator was identified.
"He fled three countries in less than 15 hours, altering his physical appearance to avoid recognition. Once in hiding in the United Kingdom, he changed his address to hinder any investigation.'
Police Scotland has repeatedly denied that the incident is connected to ongoing criminal tensions in the Edinburgh and Glasgow areas.
A spokesperson said: 'There is also nothing to suggest that the shooting in Fuengirola was planned from within Scotland.'
A spokesperson for the National Crime Agency said: 'On June 13, officers from Merseyside Police arrested a 44-year-old man in the Liverpool area on behalf of the Spanish authorities for two counts of murder. The operation was supported by officers from the NCA's National Extradition Unit.
'The individual appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court on June 14 for the commencement of extradition proceedings.
'He was remanded in custody.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
UK set to strike new deal with Iraq to return migrants faster
Yvette Cooper is set to strike a migrant returns deal with Iraq which would enable the UK to send more failed asylum seekers back. The Home Secretary is said to be in the 'final stages' of agreeing the pact to speed up cooperation between London and Baghdad. Ministers are under pressure to get a grip of the migrant crisis with 2025 on course to be a record year for small-boat crossings. More than 21,000 people have already made the perilous journey across the Channel, and Iraqi Kurds now dominate the people smuggling networks. Ms Cooper struck a deal with Iraq at the end of last year to tackle the gangs, including greater intelligence sharing and more law enforcement operations. Since then, the National Crime Agency has been working with the Kurdish authorities and says it has succeeded in targeting criminals operating in places where they thought they were 'untouchable'. But Ms Cooper hopes to strike an enhanced deal by the end of the summer to speed up cooperation between the UK and Iraq, enabling migrants to be detained and deported more quickly, The Sunday Times reported. Meanwhile, it emerged that the Government is looking at digital ID cards for migrants, so they can show if they have the right to live and work in the UK. Sir Keir Starmer will this week discuss border security with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Writing in the Sunday Express, Sir Keir said Mr Merz's visit to the UK will include talks on 'what more we can do together to prosecute criminal networks and prevent people smuggling to the UK'.
Daily Mirror
5 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Spain rocked by 'migrant riots' as far-right groups clash with North Africans
Five people were hurt and one was arrested during the unrest in the town on Saturday, according to local officials. The town was quieter on Sunday, but government sources said more arrests were expected. A southeastern Spanish town was rocked by violent clashes between far-right activists and North Africans on Saturday night. This incident, one of the most severe in recent decades, follows an attack on an elderly man earlier in the week. The pensioner was assaulted while strolling down a street in Torre-Pacheco by unidentified attackers during a time of heightened tension between members of the far-right and migrant groups in Spain. He sustained multiple injuries and is said to be recuperating from his horrifying experience at home. The motive behind the attack remains unknown, and no arrests have been made in relation to the assault. Five individuals were injured and one person was arrested during Saturday's disturbance, as per local authorities. The town was calmer on Sunday, but government sources anticipate further arrests. Social media videos depict men clad in far-right emblem attire and migrants waving Moroccan flags throwing objects at each other. Another video captures a man being tackled to the ground and beaten by an individual in a white T-shirt, reports the Express. This eruption of violence comes after several days of escalating tensions and minor disturbances. Mariola Guevara, the central government's representative in the region, informed Spanish public TV that the attack is under investigation. She condemned "hate speech" and "incitement to violence," as far-right groups descended on the town. The official also pledged to deploy additional Guardia Civil officers to the town to quell the unrest. According to local government data, nearly a third of Torre-Pacheco's residents hail from abroad. A significant number of migrants are employed as day labourers in the agricultural sector in areas surrounding the town, situated in the Murcia region. Recently, the Murcia government had to retract a proposal to purchase housing for unaccompanied migrant minors, following opposition from the far-right Vox party.
Daily Mail
9 hours ago
- Daily Mail
UK to strike migrant return deal with Iraq in latest bid to stop small boats and send more asylum seekers back
Yvette Cooper is set to strike a migrant returns deal with Iraq which would enable the UK to send more failed asylum seekers back. The Home Secretary is said to be in the 'final stages' of agreeing the pact to speed up cooperation between London and Baghdad. Ministers are under pressure to get a grip of the migrant crisis with 2025 on course to be a record year for small-boat crossings. More than 21,000 people have already made the perilous journey across the Channel, and Iraqi Kurds now dominate the people smuggling networks. Ms Cooper struck a deal with Iraq at the end of last year to tackle the gangs, including greater intelligence sharing and more law enforcement operations. Since then, the National Crime Agency has been working with the Kurdish authorities and says it has succeeded in targeting criminals operating in places where they thought they were 'untouchable'. But Ms Cooper hopes to strike an enhanced deal by the end of the summer to speed up cooperation between the UK and Iraq, enabling migrants to be detained and deported more quickly, The Sunday Times reported. Meanwhile, it emerged that the Government is looking at digital ID cards for migrants, so they can show if they have the right to live and work in the UK. Sir Keir Starmer will this week discuss border security with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Writing in the Sunday Express, Sir Keir said Mr Merz's visit to the UK will include talks on 'what more we can do together to prosecute criminal networks and prevent people smuggling to the UK'. According to the Home Office, 353 people crossed the English Channel by small-boats on Friday, just a day after the Prime Minister signed a deal with French president Emmanuel Macron aimed at deterring migrants from making the dangerous crossing. Under the terms, the UK will be able to send migrants back to France for the first time in exchange for asylum seekers with links to Britain. The so-called one in, one out deal is due to begin in weeks on a pilot basis, but needs final legal verification from the EU.
