Costa bar shooting 'could fuel gang turf war crisis'

INSIDERS from the world of organised crime have said the murder of Ross Monaghan was a far more significant hit than first thought, and is likely to have major repercussions.

- By Ben Borland

The Glasgow hood was shot dead by a masked gunman in a bar he owned in Fuengirola on the Costa del Sol alongside his longtime friend and criminal associate, Eddie Lyons Jr.

Both men were leading figures in the Lyons gang, the notorious north Glasgow crime family. However, although Steven Lyons is regarded as the head of the outfit, many rivals saw Monaghan as the top man.

“Eddie’s brother Steven is seen as boss but, in reality, Ross Monaghan was on an equal footing,” a source told the Scottish Sun. “He sometimes made big decisions to the point some joked it should be called the Monaghan gang instead of the Lyons.

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“That’s why his murder is so shocking. He was a significant figure for a long time. Whoever is behind the killings would’ve known they were going after a guy at the very top.