No suggestion Spain shooting linked to gang feud - police

Spanish police are investigating the murders of the two Scottish men at Monaghans bar in Fuengirola

Police say there is currently nothing to suggest the murders of two Scots in a Spanish bar is related to an ongoing gang war in Scotland.

Eddie Lyons Jnr and Ross Monaghan were shot dead in an attack at Monaghans pub in Fuengirola on the Costa del Sol on Saturday evening.

The two men have links to the Lyons crime clan, which along with the rival Daniels gang has been linked to a series of assaults, shootings and firebombings across Glasgow and Edinburgh in recent months.

There has been intense speculation that the murders are the latest twist in that feud, but a statement by Police Scotland has said there is "nothing to suggest that the shooting in Fuengirola was planned from within Scotland".

Detectives are believed to be examining whether the murders are linked to wider tensions between major global crime groups - including the Dubai-based Irish crime clan, the Kinahans.

Lyons, 46, and Monaghan, 43, died when a gunman opened fire on them in the bar at about 23:00 local time. He then fled the scene in a car.

Monaghans is located on the seafront of the town and is a popular bar with tourists and expats.

The bar had been screening the UEFA Champions League final on the evening of the attack.

The mayor of Fuengirola, Ana Mula, earlier called for more police resources to combat organised crime-related violence on the Costa del Sol.

Ms Mula said: "We live in a world and at a time where crime knows no borders.

"In places like the Costa del Sol, we're seeing developments that, as they spread, inevitably affect us.

"We need much greater involvement from the state on this issue."

She also called for the deployment of more police officers who specialise in organised crime.

The mayor added: "I intend to be relentless in demanding action on this.

"It's a top priority for our community and our city."

But in a statement released on Tuesday evening, Police Scotland made it clear it was not directly investigating the murders.

"The investigation into the fatal shootings in Fuengirola is being carried out by Spanish police," it said.

"Police Scotland is supporting Spanish police where requested, however at this time we have no officers deployed within Spain.

"There is currently no intelligence to suggest the deaths of these two men in Spain are linked to the recent criminal attacks in Scotland being investigated as part of Operation Portaledge.

"Any misinformation or speculation linking the events in Spain are not helpful to the ongoing investigations in either country.

"There is also nothing to suggest that the shooting in Fuengirola was planned from within Scotland."

Is there a link to the Kinahan crime clan?

BBC Scotland News has been told that Eddie Jnr's brother Steven Lyons has links to the Irish crime clan, the Kinahans.

The Dubai-based group is wanted by the US government for drugs and firearms trafficking, money laundering and murder.

It was the focus of a recent BBC documentary series, Kinahan: The True Story of Ireland's Mafia.

Back in Scotland, Operation Portaledge is investigating a suspected gang feud that has been linked with a number of shootings, firebombings and assaults in the Glasgow and Edinburgh areas since March.

So far more than 40 people have been arrested in connection with the incidents.