An accused hitman facing charges for the killings of two Scottish gang members in Spain is concerned about potential retaliation if he is incarcerated in a Spanish jail.
Michael Riley, aged 44, is accused of murdering Ross Monaghan, 43, and Eddie Lyons Jnr, 46, who were affiliated with the Lyons crime family, at Monaghan’s Bar in Feungirola on May 31.
Riley was apprehended by Merseyside police on June 13 following an international arrest warrant issued by Spanish authorities.
His defense attorney, Renata Pinter, mentioned that Riley, from Huyton, Liverpool, was absent from the recent court session at Westminster Magistrates’ Court. Pinter emphasized concerns over Riley’s mental health, citing depression and anxiety, and the potential threat he may face from other gang members if detained in a Spanish prison.
Pinter stated that medical and prison condition reports from Spain will be presented before Riley’s extradition hearing scheduled for November. She also mentioned the involvement of a psychiatrist and a criminology expert in analyzing the case.
District Judge John Zani decided to keep Riley in custody until the upcoming hearing on October 3, with the full extradition hearing set for November 20.
The victims, Lyons Jnr and Monaghan, were attacked while watching the Champions League final at the bar. Lyons Jnr succumbed to a gunshot wound outside the bar, while CCTV footage captured the assailant chasing Monaghan inside the pub and fatally shooting him.
Spanish police chief Pedro Agudo Novo based in Malaga identified Riley as a member of the Daniels gang, engaged in a longstanding conflict with the Lyons gang.
