'Misplaced loyalty' may be shielding killer who burned three to death

A KILLER who police believe is responsible for the deaths of two youngsters and their father in a house fire may be being protected by someone in the area "out of misplaced loyalty", officers have said.

Police said the community in Helensburgh has been left "angry and fearful" after Thomas Sharkey, 21, and his eight-year-old sister Bridget, died following a house fire in the early hours of Sunday 24 July.

On Saturday, their father, also Thomas, died in hospital from his injuries.

Strathclyde Police have confirmed that Mr Sharkey's wife, Angela, the mother of the two children who is still being treated for serious burns, has not yet been told they have died.

Detective Inspector Graham Cordner said: "Someone, out of misplaced loyalty, may well be protecting this killer and it is time for them to look at their conscience and make that call to us."

Police stopped 100 drivers outside the family's home yesterday morning, a week after the blaze, in a plea for information.

Det Insp Cordner added: "We had received an encouraging response from motorists and we will be following up each piece of information given to us."

Mr Sharkey, who had been seen hanging out of his window shouting for help after the fire broke out around 5:10am, was told about his children's deaths on Tuesday after regaining consciousness in hospital.

Chief Inspector Fergus Byrne said: "This is yet another devastating and heart-breaking blow for Mrs Sharkey, who at this time remains critically ill in hospital, unaware of the tragic loss of now her husband and children, Thomas and Bridget.

"The wider family and community will be horrified at the death of Tommy, who was so well known throughout the town."

He said that extra police officers would be deployed to the area for the foreseeable future, adding: "We do, however, need to convert that anger into something positive and people who have information about this dreadful crime need to start talking directly to us and giving us the evidence we need to get justice for the family."

Detective Chief Inspector Anne McKerchar said: "There is much rumour and conjecture in the town but what we need is hard facts.

"Helensburgh is a small town and the community need to pull together and give us the information that will catch whoever killed these three members of the Sharkey family.

"I would reiterate that I believe that someone in the local community holds the key to solving this crime - someone out there knows who did this and I would ask them to come forward so that we can find those responsible."

Fifty officers are involved in the investigation and detectives have launched an e-mail address for information.

Crimestoppers has put up a 10,000 reward for information which leads to the arrest and conviction of whoever committed the crime.

The e-mail address for the investigation is [email protected].

Officers have also set up an additional phone number for the incident room. People can now call 01389 822 059 or 01389 822 162 to get the investigation team.