A man from Merseyside has been formally identified and remanded in custody in connection with the fatal shooting of two Scottish men outside a pub in Fuengirola, Spain. Michael Terrence Riley, 44, appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Saturday, 14 June, marking the beginning of extradition proceedings requested by Spanish authorities.
Riley was arrested by Merseyside Police on the evening of Friday, 13 June, following the issue of an international arrest warrant by the Spanish judiciary. He is wanted in Spain in connection with the double murder of Eddie Lyons Jr., 46, and Ross Monaghan, 43, who were gunned down outside Monaghan’s Bar on the Costa del Sol shortly before 11 p.m. on 31 May.
The two victims, both understood to be linked to the Lyons crime family—an organised crime group based in Glasgow—had been watching the Champions League final with friends before they were targeted. A lone gunman opened fire outside the Irish bar, shooting one man in the chest and the other in the chest and abdomen. Both died at the scene. The attacker fled in a vehicle and was not apprehended at the time.
Spanish police launched an international manhunt, and the case was taken up by the National Police in collaboration with UK authorities. The arrest in Liverpool was carried out by Merseyside Police acting on Spain’s request, with Riley now set to appear again in court on 19 June as the extradition process continues.
Despite the victims’ ties to organised crime, Police Scotland previously stated that the killings did not appear to be part of an ongoing gang feud in Scotland.
In a statement, Merseyside Police said: “We can confirm that yesterday evening, Friday 13 June, a man was arrested in connection with two fatal shootings in Spain on 31 May. The 44-year-old from Merseyside appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court this morning for the commencement of extradition proceedings to Spain. He has been remanded into custody to appear in court at a later date.”
