A beachfront bar in the Costa del Sol town of Fuengirola—closed since a gangland-style double murder shocked the expat community—will reopen this weekend under a new name: The Irish Rover.
The venue, previously known as Monaghans, was the scene of a fatal shooting on May 31, where Ross Monaghan (43) and Eddie Lyons Jnr (46)—two high-profile figures in Scotland’s organised crime scene—were gunned down in broad daylight. Both men were reportedly part of long-running Glasgow-based criminal factions.
The rebranding comes less than a month after the attack, which Spanish authorities have treated as a targeted hit. Despite the building’s dark recent history, owners appear eager to move forward, with promotional posts on social media announcing the return of business under the new identity.
Crime Scene Rebranded
Monaghans had developed a reputation as a lively expat watering hole popular with Scots and Irish tourists. However, Spanish police sources have suggested that the venue may also have served as a meeting point for figures from Glasgow’s underworld. Ross Monaghan was believed to have part-ownership in the bar and had relocated to southern Spain after surviving a previous assassination attempt in Glasgow in 2017.
His murder, alongside Lyons, came as tensions reportedly flared again between rival groups linked to long-standing feuds in Scotland.
The renaming of the establishment to The Irish Rover is seen by some as an attempt to shake off associations with the killings and the alleged gangland links of its previous owner.
Accused Facing Extradition
Michael Riley (44) has been identified by Spanish authorities as the suspected gunman. He was arrested shortly after the shooting and is currently being held pending a full extradition hearing expected later this year.
Police believe the killing was meticulously planned and likely connected to ongoing feuds among Scottish crime families. The attack took place during daylight hours, in a venue packed with customers, heightening fears among local residents and prompting renewed concerns over criminal activity among foreign nationals along Spain’s southern coast.
Costa del Sol: Long a Magnet for UK Underworld
The Costa del Sol, particularly towns like Marbella, Fuengirola, and Torremolinos, has long held a reputation as a haven for British criminals seeking to lie low, often referred to as the “Costa del Crime” in UK media. With extensive British expat communities, relative anonymity, and loose oversight, the area has featured frequently in UK-Spain crime investigations over the past two decades.
This double murder marked one of the most brazen acts of gangland violence in recent memory on the coast and has sent shockwaves through both the local community and law enforcement networks in the UK and Spain.
Community Divided Over Reopening
The decision to reopen the bar so soon has prompted mixed reactions.
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Some locals have expressed concern, describing the reopening as “insensitive” given the venue’s recent history.
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Others have noted the importance of reviving businesses in the area, especially ahead of the summer tourism season.
A resident told the BBC:
“Fuengirola’s had its share of drama, but reopening that bar feels a bit quick. I hope it doesn’t become a pilgrimage site for the wrong crowd.”
What’s Next?
While The Irish Rover may signal a fresh chapter for the property, the shadow of the killings is likely to linger. Spanish police are continuing their investigations, and UK authorities remain on alert for further reprisals linked to the longstanding disputes between Scottish criminal networks.
As extradition proceedings against Michael Riley progress and more details about the motive behind the attack emerge, attention will remain fixed on the Costa del Sol—and whether this reopening is a sign of recovery or merely a pause before the next escalation.
