But Kevin Edward Jones and murder-accused Jason Moana Rimene, 52, were not initially involved in a quarrel that led to the alleged offence.

Central to the dispute was a woman who previously had a "romantic association" with both Rimene and Mr Jones' nephew, Brisbane Supreme Court Justice Peter Callaghan said on Thursday.

The woman had asked for Rimene's help in seeking repayment of money she had lent to the nephew.

That was interpreted by the nephew as a threat and Mr Jones became involved in the dispute, Justice Callaghan told the court during a bail application by Rimene.

Justice Callaghan said some issues were in dispute, but "on any account" it was Mr Jones who went to the woman's house on Belmont Road, Tingalpa, in Brisbane's east about 8pm on October 31.

She told police he was wearing a hoodie and gloves, the court was told.

"It does appear that he had with him a bottle of petrol or something flammable and it also seems that he may have had a lighter," Justice Callaghan said.

Rimene was at the house because of a "perceived need to protect" the woman.

He claims Mr Jones threatened to burn him and the pair got into a fight.

"It ended when the applicant (Rimene) caused the head of Mr Jones to impact with a concrete driveway," Justice Callaghan said.

"That caused his death."

On the versions of what happened, it would seem "some of the impact was caused with considerable force", Justice Callaghan said.

He said "there is really no doubt" Rimene killed Mr Jones, but the use of force may have been lawful.

Rimene was granted bail, but is required to report to police daily and wear a GPS tracker.

Australian Associated Press