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The Journal
a day ago
- General
- The Journal
Court told how bungling drug traffickers suffered serious seasickness aboard crippled trawler
A COURT HAS heard how two bungling drug traffickers communicating with each other through Google translate and suffering with heavy seasickness struggled to save their own lives when the malfunctioning trawler they were aboard ran aground in high seas. Detective Superintendent Keith Halley was being cross examined by defence counsel Michael O'Higgins SC at the Special Criminal Court sentence hearing for the eight men accused of playing a part in the MV Matthew operation. Halley led the garda operation in the capture of the MV Matthew in a daring Army Ranger Wing (ARW) operation off the Wexford and Waterford coast. He has spent the last two days outlining the facts of the mammoth transnational law enforcement effort to capture the bulk carrier drug runner. This morning the barristers for the accused began questioning Halley and also outlining their mitigation for their clients ahead of their sentencing next month. The accused from the Matthew are: Iranian Saied Hassani (39), Filipino Harold Estoesta (31), Ukrainian Mykhailo Gavryk (32), Ukrainian Vitalit Vlasoi (32), Iranian ship's captain Soheil Jelveh (51) and Dutch Cumali Ozgen (49). The men on the Castlemore trawler were Ukrainian Vitaliy Lapa (62) and UK national Jamie Harbron (31) – they were charged with attempting to possess drugs for sale or supply. The six onboard the Matthew are all charged with offences related to drug possession for sale or supply of the 2.2 tonnes or €157m worth of cocaine. The court has heard that the Castlemore was due to meet the MV Matthew in the Irish Sea and it was to receive the drugs from the bigger bulk carrier. The court had previously heard that Lapa and Harbron were with three other members of the drug trafficking gang. Lapa arrived in Ireland in July 2023 and was on standby to participate with the operation that was organised by Iranian and Dubai based criminals as well as other criminals in Britain, Ireland, the Netherlands, Spain and other locations. Harbron, from Teeside near Middlesborough, arrived into Ireland on a ferry from Holyhead just days before the group of five headed south to the fishing village of Castletownbere in west Cork to purchase a trawler. O'Higgins, representing Harbron, who has a drugs addiction, had spoken about how his client had no experience of seafaring. He had joined the operation at the last minute and his counsel said that it was agreed that he would pay off €10,000 of a €20,000 drug debt. The court had heard from Halley that Lapa was a Ukrainian seafarer who was the experienced member of the two man trawler crew. He had been in Ireland from July 2023 waiting for to get the word to buy and board the trawler that would take posession of the drugs. The court heard details of how Lapa had been concerned about the condition of the Castlemore and whether it would be able to deal with the sea state and meet the Matthew. His concerns would ultimately prove well founded as the Castlemore floundered in high seas and wind off the Wexford coast. They were winched off by a Coastguard helicopter and it was a key moment for the Garda, Customs and Defence Forces team leading the Irish operation. Crew and Army Ranger Wing operators aboard the MV Matthew as it sails past Cobh. Alamy Alamy 'Completely expendable' O'Higgins said his client Harbron was at a low 'rung on the ladder' and was essentially a deckhand on the trawler. 'He was not a very good or competent deckhand,' he said. Advertisement He also said that Coast Guard winchman Gary O'Sullivan, said that when he got on board the Castlemore to rescue the men that their seafaring competency and skill level was low. 'They couldn't operate the radio, they couldn't find a life vest and couldn't operate a tow line,' he said. Det Supt Halley said that he believed their inability to fix a tow line was because of the sea sickness and physical distress from being battered at sea by storm conditions. O'Higgins said his client was under the direction of other people, particularly in Dubai over messaging apps. When they contacted their Dubai handlers they were initially told not to call for Coastguard help when they ran aground and began taking on water. The court heard that there was then a cover story concocted by those in control before they were rescued. When they were winched off the stricken trawler their phones were immediately removed from the chat groups used to communicate by the smugglers. 'This action might indicate where the men in the fishing boat were in the food chain – they were completely expendable,' O'Higgins added. Ranger Wing operators on the bow of the MV Matthew. Alamy Alamy Google translate Halley under cross examination told the court that Harbron's role was to receive instructions on messaging groups, using a Starlink system, to keep in contact. He was then to inform Lapa. The issue for them was that Lapa did not speak English – Halley told the court that Harbron used google translate to communicate with his fellow smuggler. Colman Cody Senior Counsel for Lapa said that his client was a Ukrainian national who was a qualified sea farer. He said in court that his client had concerns about the capability of the boat to got a required speed of ten knots. Halley had agreed with the defence barrister that Lapa was not aware of the full scale of the operation. Lapa, the court heard, had worked on fishing boats in Europe and Africa previously. Cody said his client was no longer working and was effectively a pensioner when he was recruited. He said the gang had sought him out as a 'person with a particular skill set'. Halley agreed that Lapa was at the lowest level in the enterprise and wasn't aware of the Irish criminal gang cell structure. Much of the day's hearing was taken up with mitigation from the eight barristers representing the eight men. They had asked for a degree of leniency from the three judge panel on grounds that the men saved the state a lengthy trial with their guilty pleas. There were also details of their life situations and difficulties with serving prison sentences in Ireland. Ms Justice Melanie Greally presiding with Judge Sarah Berkeley and Judge Grainne Malone set a date for the sentencing of the men on 4 July next. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
The Journal
2 days ago
- Business
- The Journal
Iranian smugglers, Dubai gangsters and the frantic crew texts as Irish Special Forces boarded
A COURT HAS heard that sanction dodging Iranian shipping ghost fleet companies with connections in Venezuela were heavily involved with a crime gang in Dubai in the funding and organisation of the largest drug shipment ever seized in Ireland. Detective Superintendent Keith Halley led the garda operation that captured the MV Matthew in a daring Army Ranger Wing (ARW) operation off the Wexford and Waterford coast. Halley told of how the case began with intelligence from MAOC-N in Portugal and also from Irish Customs. Garda intelligence specialists also gathered information and the Irish Joint Task Force began to target the MV Matthew. In his evidence he spoke of the bravery of the ARW operators who fought high winds, rolling seas and a ship manoeuvring trying to stop them to get on board. Prosecuting Barrister John Berry read text messages exchanged between the crew members and people in Dubai that told them to run for open water. The court heard that the ARW operators' helicopter had to fly higher than normal and their rope that they used to get aboard the ship was not reaching the pitching metal work below. They were forced to slide down the rope and drop from a height the rest of the way to the rolling deck. He also spoke about how the Customs, on board the Irish Navy Ship LÉ William Butler Yeats had hailed the Matthew repeatedly and directed them to Cork. But the Matthew raced south to international waters. The Captain of the Yeats, Lt Commander Alan Flynn, using the call sign 'Warship 63″, took over control and directed warning shots to be fired. At one point the drug runners told them on the radio 'they don't want problems'. 'I don't like problems either – I want you to change your course. Alter your course to Cork…,' the Captain declared. Halley was giving an outline of the facts of the case in the Special Criminal Court today ahead of the sentencing of eight crew members who have pleaded guilty to their part in the operation. Irish naval vessel LE William Butler Yeats escorts Bulk carrier MV Matthew outside Roches Point, Cork on 26 September, 2023. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo Iranian nexus While being questioned by Michael Bowman SC, who is defence counsel for the Iranian captain Soheil Jelveh, Halley said that there is a 'major Iranian nexus to this operation'. He said it was orchestrated by Iranian and transnational organised crime groups. The three judge court viewed a presentation today that outlined the garda investigation that included a slideshow of various text message exchanged between the crew and organisers based in Dubai. Eight men have pleaded guilty to their part in the trafficking of 2.2 tonnes of €152m worth of drugs into the Irish state in September 2023. The court heard that six of the men were onboard the MV Matthew with the drugs and they were to meet two other men onboard the Castlemore, a fishing boat that had been purchased just days earlier by a Dubai based man. The accused from the Matthew are: Iranian Saied Hassani (39), Filipino Harold Estoesta (31), Ukrainian Mykhailo Gavryk (32), Ukrainian Vitalit Vlasoi (32), Iranian ship's captain Soheil Jelveh (51) and Dutch Cumali Ozgen (49). The men on the Castlemore were Ukrainian Vitaliy Lapa (62) and UK Jamie Harbron (31). They are all charged with offences regarding trafficking and assisting an organised crime group to import drugs into the Irish State. Dramatic In dramatic evidence Halley told the court that the accused repeatedly ignored radio calls from the Irish Naval ship LÉ William Butler Yeats and despite the ship firing warning shots towards the Matthew. Advertisement Before that Halley told the court and showed CCTV images that documented Lapa and Harbron's journey to Castletownbere in the company of a man from Dubai and two other people from Scotland. The CCTV was captured from shops and on one occasion inside a McDonalds. They bought the Castlemore and sailed out of Castletownbere – unbeknownst to them, Halley said, they were being watched by a garda surveillance team. The Matthew had sailed across the Atlantic having loaded the drugs off the coast of Venezuela. Halley said that during that trip the ship had used a tactic known as spoofing to hide its actual location from GPS shipping trackers. The weather descended into chaos and the Castlemore began to struggle to maintain any speed. Eventually it would run aground and partially sink off Wexford in the Irish Sea. The two men Vitaliy Lapa and Jamie Harbron were rescued by Coastguard helicopter. They were brought to a the LÉ William Butler Yeats. They would subsequently be arrested but their phones held evidence of messaging apps that contained a treasure trove of information for gardaí. In another dramatic twist the captain of the Matthew, the Iranian national Soheil Jelveh, was airlifted off the ship because of a medical issue. He left with two suitcases, phones and $50,000 US dollars. The gardaí took possession of his phones and would also, once the crew were arrested harvest their phones also. He told the gardaí that his family in Dubai were in danger from the drug gang. The helicopter moves in as the Ranger Wing begin their boarding. Irish Defence Forces Irish Defence Forces Frustrated Gardaí discovered the drama contained on the crew's messaging phone apps. There were two specific messaging apps with contacts from the drugs gang commanders in Dubai as well as the crew discussing how to evade capture. The messages showed organisers and the crew becoming frustrated that the Castlemore had sunk but then coming up with a plan to get another vessel to come and meet them, possibly from Dublin. Halley said it showed the reach of the organised crime group and its ability to get another gang cell to come to the aid of the Matthew and offload the ship. The chat groups on the messaging apps also showed images of the Air Corps helicopter and the Naval vessel from inside the bridge. There were discussions about what to do next. They ultimately decided to run for international waters hoping that the Irish military would not follow. But Halley said that the laws of the sea permit an intervention if it is a 'hot pursuit' situation. The messages also showed the loading of the drugs from the ship – using large skip like white bags. When the Castlemore floundered the plan was then to put the drugs in one of the ship's lifeboats and offload it with a crewman aboard and sail to meet gang members on land. That was scrubbed also and as the navy and Ranger wing operators came close there were frantic calls on the messaging apps to burn the drugs in the lifeboat with paint thinner. The court was shown an infrared photograph from an Irish Air Corps PC12 surveillance aircraft showing the heat from the burning lifeboat. Ultimately the Ranger Wing boarded and the ship was taken into Cobh – the court heard that one of the Ranger Wing operators had experience of serving as a naval officer and he put the ship on a course back to Ireland. The Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau arrested the men and they were subsequently charged. Halley will continue his evidence tomorrow before Ms Justice Melanie Greally, Judge Sarah Berkeley and Judge Grainne Malone. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Irish Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Kinahan cartel associates hell-bent on revenge after Irish pub shooting in Spain
Associates of the Kinahan cartel are hell-bent on revenge after two senior members of their gang were shot dead in an Irish pub on the Costa del Sol, insiders fear. Underworld sources have told The Irish Mirror that they fear the deadly Lyons gang will now seek bloody revenge for the shock slaying of Ross Monaghan and Eddie Lyons Jnr at a pub in Fuengirola near Malaga on Saturday night. The Lyons gang – one of Scotland's most deadly crime outfits – has been left reeling following the double murder as the pair watched the Champions League final at Monaghan's pub on Saturday night. Irish underworld sources say leaders of the gang are closely associated with mob boss Daniel Kinahan – and they will not let the killings go unanswered. "There will be hell to pay over this. The Lyons lads will not let this go," one source said. "They will be baying for blood and it is more likely to happen in Spain than anywhere else. That is the fear." We revealed yesterday that Eddie Lyons Jnr and Ross Monaghan were key members of the gang that worked with Kinahan, 47, on the massive cocaine shipment that was seized by the Army Ranger Wing off the south coast almost two years ago. Underworld sources told us the gang the men worked for teamed up with the Kinahan cartel to organise the huge, 2.5 tonnes shipment of cocaine - worth up to €450 million on the streets - seized by the ARW on the MV Matthew off the Wexford coast in September 2023. Eight men have pleaded guilty over the MV Matthew plot - and are due to be sentenced at the non-jury Special Criminal Court in Dublin later this week. Sources say gardai are satisfied the killing of the two Scottish criminals outside a bar in Fuengirola was not connected to the MV Matthew haul - or the Kinahan cartel itself. Instead, they are believed to have been targeted as part of an ongoing feud between Scottish gangs. Now there are real fears that the simmering Scottish feud will erupt into more violence in Scotland. The pair were shot dead after watching the Champions League final at Monaghan's Pub in Fuengirola. A masked gunman jumped out of a vehicle at 11.30pm, fired several rounds at the entrance of the bar, striking one of the men in the chest and the other in the chest and abdomen. The gunman then fled in the same vehicle which was driven by an accomplice - leaving tourists and expats in the bar terrified. The shootings are linked to Scotland's ongoing gangland war which has seen attacks on homes and properties linked to Glasgow's Daniel crime clan. Harrowing images from the scene show a man lying lifeless on his back in shorts and a T-shirt, next to a chalkboard on a terrace outside the Irish bar. In other images, police and paramedics can be seen surrounding the body of one of the victims, thought to be the same man, after he was covered under a blanket as shocked locals and holidaymakers looked on. Monaghan was previously cleared of the murder of notorious Glasgow hood Kevin 'Gerbil' Carroll, who was shot dead in a gangland assassination in the Asda Robroyston carpark in 2010. He was tried for the killing, but was acquitted in May 2012. He was also cleared of attempting to defeat the ends of justice by disposing of the two guns used in the shooting and torching the getaway car. In August 2017, Monaghan and Eddie Lyons Jnr were both cleared of being involved in a brutal street attack on three men outside the Campsie bar in Bishopbriggs. The brutal ambush left one of the victim's ears hanging off. However, the case collapsed after prosecutors withdrew the charges against them following two days of evidence. Monaghan had also survived a previous murder attempt. In 2017, he was shot by a gunman disguised as a pram-pushing dad outside St George's Primary School in Glasgow. Eddie Lyons Jnr was a key figure in his family's crime clan with his brother Steven Lyons now living in Dubai - where he is said to be close to Daniel Kinahan, who is holed up there with his father Christy, 67, and brother Christopher, 44. The shock Costa Del Sol killings come amidst a violent gang war that has been raging in Scotland since March. The feud first erupted following a fallout between rival gangsters after a €600k stash of cocaine was reportedly swiped from under the nose of Dubai-based Mr Big, Ross McGill. The drugs were reportedly taken by caged Edinburgh kingpin Mark Richardson's foot soldiers sparking a series of violent attacks on homes and businesses. McGill has waged war on Richardson and his associates, including the Daniel crime clan in Glasgow. Mr Big's enforcers, a faceless and frightening group going by the name of Tamo Junto (TMJ), have carried out a series of fire bombings and other vicious attacks on homes, businesses and cars associated with Richardson and the Daniel clan. Last week, it emerged that McGill had agreed to end hostilities after being leaned on by cartel bosses in Dubai. However gangland enforcers Tamo Junto (TMJ) quickly quashed any talk of peace as they vowed to continue to carry out the turf war.
Dublin Live
3 days ago
- Dublin Live
Spanish cops launch manhunt for hit team that murdered Kinahan allies in Costa del Sol
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Spanish cops have launched a manhunt for a hit team that murdered two Scottish allies of mob boss Daniel Kinahan outside an Irish pub on the Costa del Sol. And underworld sources last night said Eddie Lyons Jnr and Ross Monaghan - shot dead on Saturday night - were key members of the gang that worked with Kinahan, 47, on a massive cocaine shipment that was seized by the Army Ranger Wing off the south coast almost two years ago. They claimed the gang for which the men worked teamed up with the Kinahan cartel to organise the huge, 2.5-tonne shipment of cocaine - worth up to €450 million on the streets - seized by the ARW on the MV Matthew off the Wexford coast in September 2023. Eight men have pleaded guilty over the MV Matthew plot - and are due to be sentenced at the non jury Special Criminal Court in Dublin later this week. Sources say gardai are satisfied the killing of the two Scottish criminals outside a bar in Fuengirola was not connected to the MV Matthew haul - or the Kinahan cartel itself. Instead, they are believed to have been targeted as part of an ongoing feud between Scottish gangs. Underworld sources claim crime kingpins Ross Monaghan and Eddie Lyons Jnr were shot dead after watching the Champions League final at Monaghan's Pub in Fuengirola. According to local reports, a masked gunman jumped out of a vehicle at 11.30pm, fired several rounds at the entrance of the bar, striking one of the men in the chest and the other in the chest and abdomen. The gunman then fled in the same vehicle which was driven by an accomplice - leaving tourists and expats in the bar terrified. Sources say the shootings are linked to Scotland's ongoing gangland war which has seen attacks on homes and properties linked to Glasgow's Daniel crime clan. Monaghan, who fled Scotland in 2017, is listed as the proprietor of the bar in an online business directory. Spanish authorities confirmed the two men killed were Scottish. Harrowing images from the scene show a man lying lifeless on his back in shorts and a T-shirt, next to a chalkboard on a terrace outside the Irish bar. In other disturbing images, police and paramedics can be seen surrounding the body of one of the victims, thought to be the same man, after he was covered under a blanket as shocked locals and holidaymakers looked on. The police set up roadblocks after the shooting to try to catch those responsible. A spokesman for the Spanish National Police in Malaga said: "Around midnight an incident with firearms occurred in Fuengirola, specifically at an entertainment venue along the seafront. "Two males died as a result from gunshot wounds. The investigation is ongoing and no arrests have been made so far." Monaghan was previously cleared of the murder of notorious Glasgow hood Kevin "Gerbil" Carroll, who was shot dead in a gangland assassination in the Asda Robroyston carpark in 2010. He was tried for the killing, but was acquitted in May 2012. He was also cleared of attempting to defeat the ends of justice by disposing of the two guns used in the shooting and torching the getaway car. In August 2017, Monaghan and Eddie Lyons Jnr were both cleared of being involved in a brutal street attack on three men outside the Campsie bar in Bishopbriggs. The brutal ambush left one of the victim's ears hanging off. However, the case collapsed after prosecutors withdrew the charges against them following two days of evidence. Monaghan had also survived a previous murder attempt. In 2017 he was shot by a gunman disguised as a pram pushing dad outside St George's Primary School in Glasgow. Eddie Lyons jnr was a key figure in his family's crime clan with his brother Steven Lyons now living in Dubai - where he is said to be close to Daniel Kinahan, who is holed up there with hisfarther Christy, 67, and brother Christopher, 44. "Steve Lyons is very close with Daniel," a source said last night. "They worked together on the (MV Matthew) and after it was busted, Steve fled Britain to Dubai. "He linked up with Daniel over there. They are close." The shock Costa Del Sol killings come amidst a violent gang war that has been raging in Scotland since March. The feud first erupted following a fallout between rival gangsters after a €600k stash of cocaine was reportedly swiped from under the nose of Dubai-based Mr Big, Ross McGill. The drugs were reportedly taken by caged Edinburgh kingpin Mark Richardson's foot soldiers sparking a series of violent attacks on homes and businesses. McGill has waged war on Richardson and his associates, including the Daniel crime clan in Glasgow. Mr Big's enforcers, a faceless and frightening group going by the name of Tamo Junto (TMJ), have carried out a series of fire bombings and other vicious attacks on homes, businesses and cars associated with Richardson and the Daniel clan. Last week it emerged that McGill had agreed to end hostilities after being leaned on by cartel bosses in Dubai. However gangland enforcers Tamo Junto (TMJ) quickly quashed any talk of peace as they vowed to continue to carry out the turf war. A video released by the TMJ crime gang on Friday last week stated that anyone linked to the Daniel Clan or Mark Richardson remains a target for their group. They said: "TMJ will continue to target anyone associated with the Daniel family or Mark Richardson. There will never be a truce between TMJ and the Gremlins. "We have terrorised you since March and will continue to do so." The Lyons crime gang was said to have pulled out of the feud over concerns about the police crack down. The clan were allegedly feeding McGill information about their rivals, the Daniel family, but boss Steven Lyons, 44, made the call to concentrate on his own interests. A source said he issued the order over fears his enforcers could be arrested and jailed and his family would lose their grip on power in the north of Glasgow. Meanwhile, witnesses relived their horror after being caught up in the shooting of the two Scottish gangsters outside the Irish bar in Fuengirola. A local living near the scene told local paper Malaga Hoy: "I thought they were going to me kill me too. "I thought I was hearing fireworks at first but then saw the noise was coming from someone firing a gun." A Chinese expat who owns a shop next to the bar said: "It was about 11.30pm when I heard a noise coming from next door. "I looked out and saw a man pointing at something and shooting." Saying he saw other customers run for their lives as the attack occurred and a family walking by took refuge in his shop, he added: "I didn't look at the gunman's face or whether he left on a motorbike or in a car, I just remember I saw the weapon. "I was in shock, I didn't how to react." Workers at a nearby beach bar and restaurant also told how how families with children took refuge inside after the shooting started. One said: "I didn't see anything because we focused on crouching down and staying safe, but it was a very frightening experience. Obviously all the customers we had left as soon as it was safe to do so." There are now fears that the Lyons gang will seek bloody retribution for the double slaying - either in Spain or Scotland. Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. 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Irish Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Manhunt underway for hit team that murdered Kinahan allies in Costa del Sol
Spanish cops have launched a manhunt for a hit team that murdered two Scottish allies of mob boss Daniel Kinahan outside an Irish pub on the Costa del Sol. And underworld sources last night said Eddie Lyons Jnr and Ross Monaghan - shot dead on Saturday night - were key members of the gang that worked with Kinahan, 47, on a massive cocaine shipment that was seized by the Army Ranger Wing off the south coast almost two years ago. They claimed the gang for which the men worked teamed up with the Kinahan cartel to organise the huge, 2.5-tonne shipment of cocaine - worth up to €450 million on the streets - seized by the ARW on the MV Matthew off the Wexford coast in September 2023. Eight men have pleaded guilty over the MV Matthew plot - and are due to be sentenced at the non jury Special Criminal Court in Dublin later this week. Sources say gardai are satisfied the killing of the two Scottish criminals outside a bar in Fuengirola was not connected to the MV Matthew haul - or the Kinahan cartel itself. Instead, they are believed to have been targeted as part of an ongoing feud between Scottish gangs. Underworld sources claim crime kingpins Ross Monaghan and Eddie Lyons Jnr were shot dead after watching the Champions League final at Monaghan's Pub in Fuengirola. According to local reports, a masked gunman jumped out of a vehicle at 11.30pm, fired several rounds at the entrance of the bar, striking one of the men in the chest and the other in the chest and abdomen. The gunman then fled in the same vehicle which was driven by an accomplice - leaving tourists and expats in the bar terrified. Sources say the shootings are linked to Scotland's ongoing gangland war which has seen attacks on homes and properties linked to Glasgow's Daniel crime clan. Monaghan, who fled Scotland in 2017, is listed as the proprietor of the bar in an online business directory. Spanish authorities confirmed the two men killed were Scottish. Harrowing images from the scene show a man lying lifeless on his back in shorts and a T-shirt, next to a chalkboard on a terrace outside the Irish bar. In other disturbing images, police and paramedics can be seen surrounding the body of one of the victims, thought to be the same man, after he was covered under a blanket as shocked locals and holidaymakers looked on. The police set up roadblocks after the shooting to try to catch those responsible. A spokesman for the Spanish National Police in Malaga said: 'Around midnight an incident with firearms occurred in Fuengirola, specifically at an entertainment venue along the seafront. 'Two males died as a result from gunshot wounds. The investigation is ongoing and no arrests have been made so far.' Monaghan was previously cleared of the murder of notorious Glasgow hood Kevin 'Gerbil' Carroll, who was shot dead in a gangland assassination in the Asda Robroyston carpark in 2010. He was tried for the killing, but was acquitted in May 2012. He was also cleared of attempting to defeat the ends of justice by disposing of the two guns used in the shooting and torching the getaway car. In August 2017, Monaghan and Eddie Lyons Jnr were both cleared of being involved in a brutal street attack on three men outside the Campsie bar in Bishopbriggs. The brutal ambush left one of the victim's ears hanging off. However, the case collapsed after prosecutors withdrew the charges against them following two days of evidence. Monaghan had also survived a previous murder attempt. In 2017 he was shot by a gunman disguised as a pram pushing dad outside St George's Primary School in Glasgow. Eddie Lyons jnr was a key figure in his family's crime clan with his brother Steven Lyons now living in Dubai - where he is said to be close to Daniel Kinahan, who is holed up there with hisfarther Christy, 67, and brother Christopher, 44. 'Steve Lyons is very close with Daniel,' a source told The Mirror?Star last night. 'They worked together on the (MV Matthew) and after it was busted, Steve fled Britain to Dubai. 'He linked up with Daniel over there. They are close.' The shock Costa Del Sol killings come amidst a violent gang war that has been raging in Scotland since March. The feud first erupted following a fallout between rival gangsters after a €600k stash of cocaine was reportedly swiped from under the nose of Dubai-based Mr Big, Ross McGill. The drugs were reportedly taken by caged Edinburgh kingpin Mark Richardson's foot soldiers sparking a series of violent attacks on homes and businesses. McGill has waged war on Richardson and his associates, including the Daniel crime clan in Glasgow. Mr Big's enforcers, a faceless and frightening group going by the name of Tamo Junto (TMJ), have carried out a series of fire bombings and other vicious attacks on homes, businesses and cars associated with Richardson and the Daniel clan. Last week it emerged that McGill had agreed to end hostilities after being leaned on by cartel bosses in Dubai. However gangland enforcers Tamo Junto (TMJ) quickly quashed any talk of peace as they vowed to continue to carry out the turf war. A video released by the TMJ crime gang on Friday last week stated that anyone linked to the Daniel Clan or Mark Richardson remains a target for their group. They said: 'TMJ will continue to target anyone associated with the Daniel family or Mark Richardson. There will never be a truce between TMJ and the Gremlins. 'We have terrorised you since March and will continue to do so.' The Lyons crime gang was said to have pulled out of the feud over concerns about the police crack down. The clan were allegedly feeding McGill information about their rivals, the Daniel family, but boss Steven Lyons, 44, made the call to concentrate on his own interests. A source said he issued the order over fears his enforcers could be arrested and jailed and his family would lose their grip on power in the north of Glasgow. Meanwhile, witnesses relived their horror after being caught up in the shooting of the two Scottish gangsters outside the Irish bar in Fuengirola. A local living near the scene told local paper Malaga Hoy: 'I thought they were going to me kill me too. 'I thought I was hearing fireworks at first but then saw the noise was coming from someone firing a gun.' A Chinese expat who owns a shop next to the bar said: 'It was about 11.30pm when I heard a noise coming from next door. 'I looked out and saw a man pointing at something and shooting.' Saying he saw other customers run for their lives as the attack occurred and a family walking by took refuge in his shop, he added: 'I didn't look at the gunman's face or whether he left on a motorbike or in a car, I just remember I saw the weapon. 'I was in shock, I didn't how to react.' Workers at a nearby beach bar and restaurant also told how how families with children took refuge inside after the shooting started. One said: 'I didn't see anything because we focused on crouching down and staying safe, but it was a very frightening experience. 'Obviously all the customers we had left as soon as it was safe to do so.' There are now fears that the Lyons gang will seek bloody retribution for the double slaying - either in Spain or Scotland.
