The city of Glasgow has long had a reputation for its vibrant culture and history, but it has also been marred by violence stemming from gang feuds that have plagued its streets for decades. One of the most notorious conflicts involved the Daniel and Lyons families, rival crime syndicates engaged in a lethal struggle for control over the city’s illicit drug trade. This gang war has been characterized by a series of brutal incidents, including shootings, kidnappings, and assassinations, which have reverberated throughout the community and drawn the attention of law enforcement.
On December 6, 2006, a pivotal event occurred that highlighted the extremities of this ongoing feud. Raymond Anderson and James McDonald, hitmen associated with the Daniel clan, perpetrated a cold-blooded attack in Lambhill, targeting members of the Lyons family. Dressed in disguises, they opened fire in Applerow Motors, resulting in the death of Michael Lyons, the nephew of garage owner David Lyons, and severe injuries to others. This brazen act marked a significant escalation in the gang violence that had been simmering for years.
Even prior to this attack, the rivalry had deep roots, tracing back to a £20,000 stash of cocaine that disappeared from a safe house in 2001. This incident incited tensions when allegations arose that members of the Lyons family stole the drugs that were to be distributed by the Daniels. The feud’s complexity was further fueled by the intertwining relationships among gang members, as rivalries would morph into alliances, leading to a chaotic battleground permeated by violence that left innocent lives devastated in its wake.
In retaliation for the murder of Michael Lyons, David Lyons received threats that underscored the perilous nature of the gang’s operations. A ransom note demanding £25,000 for drugs was sent to him, a clear indication of the high-stakes environment that had become commonplace within gang circles. The police investigation into these incidents revealed a significant cache of weaponry, including grenades and a machine gun, hidden in a suburban garage used by the Daniels.
As the years went by, the violence escalated with notable figures from both clans sustaining injuries and facing assassination attempts. The death of Kevin “Gerbil” Carroll in January 2010 stands out as one of the most notorious killings linked to the gangs. In a public and chilling murder witnessed by shoppers at an Asda store—Carroll was ambushed in a brazen attack that showcased the lengths to which gang members would go to eliminate their rivals.
In the wake of the ongoing conflict, Glasgow’s law enforcement agencies found themselves grappling with a challenge unlike any other, struggling to penetrate the veil of silence surrounding gang activity while also dealing with the sophisticated tactics employed by the criminals. Reports pointed to the use of advanced technologies and tracking devices, further complicating the police’s ability to monitor and dismantle these factions.
The spillover effects from the gang war included a series of failed murder attempts in 2016-2017, putting many lives at risk, including innocent bystanders. A brutal campaign of retaliatory strikes ensued, resulting in a slew of attacks on individuals associated with the Daniel clan, illustrating the relentless cycle of retribution that engulfed the city.
Amidst the chaos, leaders of both families, such as Jamie Daniel, who passed away from cancer in July 2016, left behind a power vacuum that threatened to destabilize their respective organizations. The Lyon family took aggressive steps to reclaim territory while the Daniel group struggled to maintain its influence, leading to further bloodshed and violence as the landscape of Glasgow’s criminal underworld evolved.
Recent years have seen increased scrutiny and media attention on this long-standing feud, culminating in a BBC Radio 5 Live podcast titled “Gangster: The Daniels and the Lyons.” This six-part series documents the blood-soaked history of the conflict, recounting the myriad incidents of violence and revenge that have ensued over the last two decades.
Overall, the Glasgow gang wars exemplify not only the persistent perils of organized crime but also the devastating impacts such conflicts have on communities. The churning cycle of violence has left scars on the city’s social fabric while also raising questions regarding law enforcement efficacy amid such sinister undertakings. As the tales of the Daniels and Lyons continue to unfold, one thing remains clear: the war is far from over, and Glasgow’s streets may yet witness further tribulations stemming from this brutal feud.
