Claims by Spanish police that the murders of two Scottish underworld figures in Spain are linked to a long running gangland feud have been refuted by the Chief Constable of Police Scotland.
At a meeting on Thursday in Edinburgh of oversight body the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) Jo Farrell also denied the fatal shootings were planned in Scotland.
Ross Monaghan, 46, and Eddie Lyons jnr, 43, were both shot dead at an Irish bar co owned by Monaghan in the Spanish holiday resort of Fuengirola on May 31, reports The Record.
Both victims were senior members of the Lyons crime clan who have been involved in a long running feud with the rival Daniel family dating back almost 25 years.
At a press conference earlier this month Malaga-based police chief, Pedro Agudo Novo, who is investigating the double murder, said it was linked to a rivalry with the Daniel family, which resurfaced earlier this year across Scotland.
When asked if the gunman belonged to the Daniel's crime family, replied: "Yes. Absolutely." He then added: "The double murder was carried out by a professional killer and member of one of the victims' rival gangs. "In this case, we are not talking about an independent hired killer, but an internal member of the rival Daniels gang who ends up assassinating two members of an enemy gang."
Since March members and associates of the Daniel family in Edinburgh and Glasgow have been subjected to fire bombings, machete assaults and other targeted iolence by a group linked to the Lyons family.
Police Scotland, who are investigating the attacks under Operation Portaledge, have previously denied any links between the double murder in Spain and the ongoing feud.
However the Chief Constable went one step further on Thursday when she presented her force's annual report to SPA board members.
The report said:" Police Scotland is supporting Spanish Police following the fatal shootings in Fuengirola. "At this time there is no evidence to suggest these deaths are linked to the recent criminal attacks in Scotland being investigated as part of Operation Portaledge or that the fatal shooting was planned in Scotland."
Ms Farrell also revealed the numbers of arrests under Portaledge had reached 49 and thanked both the public and forensic staff at the Scottish Police Authority for their help.
She added: "A dedicated team of officers from our Specialist Crime Division, with support from local divisions across the country, continue to carry out extensive enquiries to gather vital evidence and reassure the public with intelligence-led patrols. "We are still working tirelessly to build cases and are following a number of significant lines of enquiry.
"The support of our communities is essential when it comes to tackling serious organised crime, preventing violence and getting justice for victims. I want to thank the public for their assistance so far and encourage anyone else with information to come forward."
Both Monaghan and Lyons jnr were gunned down in front of terrified customers who had been watching the Champions League Final on television. The gunman shot Lyons jnr first then chased Monaghan into the bar where he was shot several times.
On June 13 Merseyside Police, acting on an international arrest warrant detained a Liverpool man called Michael Riley in connection with the shootings The 44-year-old has since appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court in London where he was remanded ahead of an extradition hearing on October 9.
Career criminal Ross Monaghan was tried but acquitted over the murder of notorious Daniel enforcer Kevin "Gerbil" Carroll at an Asda car park in Glasgow in 2010.
Seven years later he and Lyons jnr were cleared of being involved in a brutal street attack on three men outside the Campsie bar in Bishopbriggs, near Glasgow. Since last month's double murder Monaghan's bar has reopened under another name, The Irish Rover.
