Leader of Westies gang feared dead

The suspected leader of the so-called “Westies” criminal gang is reportedly feared dead after being kidnapped along with a close associate near a Spanish holiday resort 10 days ago.

Reports this morning said Shane Coates and Stephen Sugg were abducted from an apartment in Alicante, where they had been living since fleeing Ireland last year.

The pair have not been seen since.

This morning’s newspapers said the kidnapping is believed to be linked to a dispute over drugs between the Dublin-based “Westies” and a Mediterranean gang.

Coates and Sugg fled to Spain following a shootout between members of their gang and gardaí in Virginia, Co Cavan, last May.