Man denied bail after 'pushing elderly father down stairs'

A Brisbane man accused of killing his elderly father because he told him to use "less water" while watering the garden has been refused bail. 

Timothy Howard McCaffrey, 43, this morning faced Redcliffe Magistrates Court charged with the manslaughter death of his 69-year-old dad.

He died after being thrown down several stairs yesterday afternoon at his Clontarf home in the city's north, police will allege. 

He was rushed to hospital with severe head injuries but died a short time later.

According to court documents, the father and son were involved in an altercation in the moments leading up to the alleged assault, when the victim arrived home and told his son to use less water while gardening. 

Officers allege that's when the son snapped, grabbing his father's throat before slamming him onto the concrete ground. 

Mr McCaffrey was denied bail because of the seriousness of the charge – which carries a maximum penalty of life behind bars – and over fears he could interfere with witnesses.

Magistrate Mark Bucknall told the accused the evidence against him was strong making it "highly likely you will be convicted".

Defence lawyer Belinda Robinson from Wallace Davies Solicitors told 9NEWS her client was "distraught". 

"He is a 43-year-old man with virtually no criminal history," she said.

"Obviously it is extremely devastating for him."

The 43-year-old is due to reappear in court on June 26.