Man charged with Brisbane referee's murder

A man has been charged with the shooting murder of Brisbane referee Tony McGrath who is believed to have been killed during a home invasion in May.

A friend found Mr McGrath's body, with a single gunshot wound to the head, under his home in the suburb of Woolloongabba on May 21.

Mr McGrath had been appointed president of the Brisbane Rugby League Referees Association not long before his death.

Police described Mr McGrath as a "loner" who had no family apart from his sister and said his lack of close relationships made it hard to track leads.

But after a nine month investigation officers arrested and charged a 43-year-old Coolangatta man on Wednesday night.

Detectives searched a home in Terranora, NSW, and are speaking to a number of people believed to be linked to the investigation.

The man has been charged with murder, armed robbery, attempted murder or alternatively grievous bodily harm, arson, stupefying in order to commit indictable offence, entering a premises with intent and weapons offences.

He's due to appear in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Thursday.