A SLATER and plasterer denied knowing about the house fire – in which Thomas Sharkey and his two children died– before it happened.

Michael Sharkey, 27, from Helensburgh, was accused by defence QC of saying to people hours before the blaze that he had a secret and they would find out what it was the next day.

Mr Sharkey, a cousin of Thomas Sharkey senior denied having anything to do with the fatal fire when he gave evidence at the High Court in Glasgow.

He was giving evidence at the trial of Scott Snowden, 37, and Robert Jennings, 50, who deny murdering Mr Sharkey, 55, his son 21-year-old Thomas junior and his eight year-old daughter Bridget at their home at 2 Scott Court, Helensburgh, Argyll, in July 24, 2011.

Mr Sharkey told advocate depute Alex Prentice QC, prosecuting, that at the time of the fire he and Thomas senior were not speaking.

He told the jury they had a heated argument in the Ashton Bar in Helensburgh in January or February, 2011, after Mr Sharkey senior said he would not be attending Michael Sharkey's sister's wedding.

He added: "Tommy was an easy man to get on with, but also an easy man to fall out with."

The court heard that on the night of July 23, 2011, Michael Sharkey consumed at least 14 pints and also took cocaine.

During the evening and night he visited a number of people in Helensburgh.

He said the first time he knew anything about the fire was around 9am on July 24, 2011, when he and relatives began to receive calls about what had happened.

Defence QC Donald Findlay, representing Snowden, asked Mr Sharkey: "You turned up at the house of George Murray agitated, the night before Thomas Sharkey's house is burnt down and two children killed and you tell the Murrays you have something to tell them?"

Mr Sharkey replied: "Nope."

The QC went on: "You repeated it a number of times and when Mr Murray asked you what it was about you said: 'You'll find out tomorrow."

Mr Sharkey said: "That's not true."

And he added: "I know nothing about the fire."

Snowden and Jennings also deny torching the Mariners pub in West Clyde Street, Helensburgh, on April 19, 2010.

The trial before Lord Matthews continues.