It's less than 36 hours after a gangland double murder in a busy bar on the Costa Del Sol, and there is no sign of the Spanish police - apart from an occasional patrol car gliding by. No cordon, no tape, no forensics in white suits, no officer guarding the front door of Monaghans Bar in Fuengirola. According to a local cameraman, it was the same on Sunday afternoon - the day after Ross Monaghan and Eddie Lyons Jnr were gunned down. In the homeland of the two men who had been shot dead, the case would be classed as a top level "category A" homicide with the bar sealed off and turned upside down for days afterwards. This is Spain, not Scotland. But it must surely be wrong to assume the lack of a visible presence means a lack of interest from the Spanish National Police. This part of the country is no stranger to violence linked to organised crime and this was the murder of two men in a public place. They were shot dead in cold blood in a busy bar and bystanders could easily have been injured or killed. The mayor of Fuengirola, Ana Mula, has been quoted as saying the police need more resources to deal with the shootings and the general threat of drug-related organised crime. When I arrived late on Monday morning, Mongahans was the only place not open for business in the long strip of pubs and restaurants along the beachfront, where holidaymakers basked in the sun and swam in the sparkling sea. Staff were inside but made it clear they didn't want to talk about what had happened. The owners of neighbouring businesses felt the same way. British tourists who'd been in Monaghans before the shooting described it as a friendly bar. They said a group of Scottish men were watching the Champion's League final in the pub before the shooting. They were boisterous but not behaving badly and Eddie Lyons Jnr and Ross Monaghan were with them. Those men would have witnessed the horrifying murders of their friends. A video filmed afterwardsshowed a Scottish man on the phone, saying "Someone's got shot in the head." David Meddicks from Glasgow had left the bar with his wife a couple of hours before. He recalled: "We went back to our hotel for food and later on at the reception of the hotel, two wee Spanish women ran in, shouting "bang, bang, bang, bang." "We looked and we could see the police and all the blue lights. We had been thinking of going back down for another drink and decided not to bother. So I'm quite glad I didn't." An Englishman who been in the pub said: "We were there an hour before and walked back later and found out what happened. "It made us want to go home, to be quite honest. You go away on holiday and you don't expect this. Really frightening." Another tourist, Robert Sorman from Bathgate, said: "You've heard of the Costa Del Crime but you never expect it to happen when you're here." An elite Costa Del Sol-based anti-drug and organised crime unit is heading the investigation, reporting to a local magistrate who is in charge of the inquiry overall. The Spanish police have said very little in public so far and there has been no official confirmation of the identity of the two victims. Reporters with experience of investigations in Spain say that's not unusual and to be fair, police in Scotland rarely speak about ongoing inquiries into organised crime unless they absolutely have to. The Spanish will be seeking the assistance of Police Scotland to get intelligence on the background of the two men, and it's likely that Scottish detectives will be travelling to the Costa Del Sol at some point. The UK's National Crime Agency has full-time staff in Spain who will be facilitating such co-operation. There is speculation that the shootings are linked to the ongoing gangland feud in central Scotland which has resulted in dozens of incidents, including alleged attempted murders, and more than 40 arrests. Some of the people targeted in the violence are linked to the Daniels crime group - long-time rivals of another serious organised crime group, the Lyons family, of which Eddie Lyons Jnr and Ross Monaghan were members. But their murders would represent a massive escalation in the level of violence compared to what has gone before. The killings of two senior figures from the Scottish underworld in a bar in a foreign country is unprecedented. It's possible that it was unrelated to the feud; that something else lies behind it. One thing's certain; Police Scotland will be deeply concerned about revenge attacks and more bloodshed. As one former officer put it: "This won't go unavenged forever."
Two Scots were shot dead in a busy Spanish bar. Holidaymakers are frightened
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Double Murder of Scots in Spanish Bar Raises Concerns Over Organized Crime"
Bbc News
6.9
TruthLens AI Summary
In the wake of a shocking double murder that occurred in Monaghans Bar, a popular establishment in Fuengirola on the Costa Del Sol, the local community is grappling with fear and uncertainty. Ross Monaghan and Eddie Lyons Jnr, both from Scotland, were shot dead in front of witnesses in a busy bar, a scene that would normally prompt a significant police response in their homeland. However, the Spanish police presence has been notably sparse, with only occasional patrols observed, leading to concerns about the investigation's progress. Ana Mula, the mayor of Fuengirola, has highlighted the need for increased police resources to combat the rising threat of drug-related organized crime in the area. Despite the bar’s closure, neighboring businesses remain open, although staff are reluctant to discuss the incident, reflecting the pervasive anxiety among holidaymakers and locals alike. Many tourists who were present before the shooting described the bar as a friendly place filled with patrons enjoying the Champions League final, emphasizing the shock of the violence that erupted in such a public setting.
The investigation into the murders is being led by an elite anti-drug and organized crime unit, with support expected from Police Scotland as they seek to understand the backgrounds of the victims. Speculation abounds regarding the motivations behind the killings, with connections drawn to ongoing gangland feuds in Scotland, particularly involving the Lyons family and their rivals. This incident marks a significant escalation in violence, with the potential for retaliatory attacks looming large. Police Scotland is reportedly on high alert, aware that this unprecedented act of violence could lead to further bloodshed within the Scottish underworld. As this tragic event unfolds, the local community and law enforcement agencies are left to ponder the implications of such violence spilling over into a foreign locale, raising questions about safety and the reach of organized crime across borders.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The incident reported in the article raises serious concerns about public safety and law enforcement response in tourist areas, particularly in light of the violent nature of the crime. The shooting of two Scots in a busy bar on the Costa Del Sol not only highlights issues related to organized crime but also reflects the potential impact on the local tourism industry and community perception of safety.
Police Presence and Community Response
The lack of a significant police presence following such a brutal crime may lead to feelings of insecurity among both locals and tourists. The article points out that the absence of forensic teams and police cordons is starkly different from what one might expect in Scotland, where such a double homicide would attract immediate and extensive police action. This discrepancy may foster a perception that the Spanish authorities are not adequately equipped or willing to manage violent crime, particularly in areas known for organized crime.
Impact on Tourism and Local Economy
The fear generated by this incident could deter tourists from visiting the area, impacting local businesses that rely heavily on tourism. The article mentions that neighboring businesses were hesitant to discuss the event, indicating a climate of fear and uncertainty. If tourists feel unsafe, it could lead to a decline in foot traffic and revenue for local establishments, further straining the community's economic stability.
Public Sentiment and Law Enforcement
The mayor's call for increased resources to tackle drug-related organized crime suggests that local authorities acknowledge the seriousness of the situation. This situation may cultivate a sense of distrust or frustration among the public regarding law enforcement's ability to protect them. The mention of the victims' friendly demeanor prior to the shooting adds a personal element that may resonate with the public, evoking sympathy and outrage.
Potential Manipulation and Narrative Framing
While the article provides factual information about the incident, it also frames the narrative in a way that could amplify fears surrounding crime in tourist areas. The choice of words, such as "cold blood" and descriptions of the atmosphere in the bar, may evoke strong emotional reactions. This could be seen as an attempt to manipulate public sentiment, either to call for greater police action or to highlight the perceived inadequacies of the Spanish police.
Comparative Context and Broader Implications
When compared to other reports of violence or crime in different regions, the article's framing may suggest a broader issue of organized crime in Spain, especially in tourist hotspots. This could align with existing narratives about safety in popular destinations and influence public perception on a larger scale.
Conclusion on Trustworthiness
Given the emotional weight of the language used, the article may be interpreted as partially manipulative, aimed at evoking a strong reaction from readers. However, it does present factual elements about the crime and its aftermath. The reliability of the article is bolstered by eyewitness accounts and direct quotes from local officials, but the emphasis on fear and insecurity may skew the overall portrayal of safety in the area.