Irish Actor Sorry for Drunk Airport Tirade

Public Drunkenness Charges Dropped Against Jonathan Rhys Meyers
By SHAWN POGATCHNIK, AP
Posted: 2007-12-05 12:27:09
DUBLIN, Ireland (Dec. 5) - Prosecutors dropped charges against Jonathan Rhys Meyers on Wednesday after he expressed remorse - through his lawyer - for being drunk and abusive at Dublin Airport.

Rhys Meyers, 30, was arrested Nov. 18. The Irish actor faced two charges of public drunkenness and breach of the peace for being abusive after he was refused permission to board a flight to London.

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On May 15, self-proclaimed "private eye to the stars" Anthony Pellicano was convicted of racketeering and racketeering conspiracy, after a high-profile trial that saw him accused of wire-tapping actors such as Sylvester Stallone.

Rhys Meyers did not appear at the Dublin District Court arraignment Wednesday. State prosecutors said they had accepted an apology from the actor and dropped the charges.

Rhys Meyers, however, was given a legal caution - a probationary action under which he could face harsher penalties if he behaves that way in public in Ireland again.

Rhys Meyers' lawyer, Michael Staines, said his client's behavior at the airport was "unacceptable and out of character." He said Rhys Meyers "unreservedly apologizes" to airport security guards, police and staff at the British airline BMI, and planned to make a donation to an unspecified charity as a way to acknowledge his wrongdoing.

Rhys Meyers is one of Ireland's best-known actors. His film credits include "Bend It Like Beckham," "Match Point," "Mission: Impossible III" and "August Rush."

He rose to fame in the U.S. with an award-winning portrayal of Elvis Presley in a 2005 television miniseries, and portrays King Henry VIII in the TV series "The Tudors," which is filmed in Ireland.

Rhys Meyers' arrest occurred six months after he checked out of an alcohol-rehabilitation clinic in California - and just three days before the sudden death of his mother, Geraldine Meyers-O'Keeffe, at age 50.

The cause of her Nov. 21 death in Cork in southwest Ireland was not made public.

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2007-12-05 10:58:22
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Recent Comments

1 - 15 of 210
210 comments

gurlfrannie 12:09:16 AM Dec 29 2007

YEAH NO EXCUSES FOR CELEBS...BUT FOR HIM I WOULD HELP NURSE HIM BACK TO GOOD HEALTH TO KEEP THAT BODY OF HIS...SO SEXY!!! YEAH BABY!!
FIRST LESSON: KEEP HIS UH...MIND OCCUPIED...NO TIME FOR THOUGHTS OF BOOZE....YA GOT ME TRIPPIN...STUMBLIN....THE GIRL CAN'T HELP IT...

Wds45840 08:38:43 AM Dec 06 2007

Why is it that a celeb gets caught and they are sorry all of a sudden? These celebs need to really GROW UP! There are children out there looking up to you wanting to be JUST LIKE YOU!

As for the Irish part of this article, I take great offense to it. I am an Irish American and DONT drink, as many of my family. You can have fun without alcohol. Just gotta learn to do it, its called growing up.

Wds45840 08:38:39 AM Dec 06 2007

Why is it that a celeb gets caught and they are sorry all of a sudden? These celebs need to really GROW UP! There are children out there looking up to you wanting to be JUST LIKE YOU!

As for the Irish part of this article, I take great offense to it. I am an Irish American and DONT drink, as many of my family. You can have fun without alcohol. Just gotta learn to do it, its called growing up.

JuneV32 06:33:08 AM Dec 06 2007

Why is it that a celebrity can get off on these offenses while JonQPublic gets the book thrown at him. Personally, I feel ANYONE driving under the influence, or being a public pest under the inrfluence should be prosecuted. These offenses should have mandatory punishment to fit the circumstances for ALL. Both of these situations create a public hazzard. STOP MAKING EXCUSES FOR CELEBRITIES!!!!!!!!!

IMBAMBOO144 06:25:38 AM Dec 06 2007

cold beer here- get your cold beer here

Em7sus2 06:16:21 AM Dec 06 2007

JMAK118 05:38:02 AM Dec 06 2007
WHAT DO YOU EXPECT OF A MICK? SOBERIETY?

I'm a "Mick" and you people have just made me a victim of ethnic prejudice...May I please have my free college money now?

Dot12130 06:07:00 AM Dec 06 2007

DON'T KNOW WHY HIS MOTHER DIED SO YOUNG...SUCH A SHAME HE CANNOT
STRAIGHTEN HIS LIFE OUT FOR HER.

Dot12130 06:05:28 AM Dec 06 2007

DON'T KNOW WHY HIS MOTHER DIED SO YOUNG, BUT HE SHOULD RESPECT HER AND TRY TO CHANGE HIS WAYS.....COULD BE, SHE WORRIED HERSELF TO DEATH OVER HIS LIFE.

IMBAMBOO144 06:03:00 AM Dec 06 2007

another beer here; Thanks

IMBAMBOO144 06:00:02 AM Dec 06 2007

Looky there- The American flag; A cold beer; And an 06 graduate, it don't get no better then this

IMBAMBOO144 06:00:01 AM Dec 06 2007

Looky there- The American flag; A cold beer; And an 06 graduate, it don't get no better then this

SuzyScorpion 05:56:00 AM Dec 06 2007

The celeb mug shots of various celebs, or wannabe celebs, really let you see their "true colors." For instance, the scuzzy mug shot of Jessica Sierra (one time American Idol cast-off). Unfortuantely, Jessica looks like a prostitute, just arrested and booked at the station... Just waiting for her pimp to pick her up...

SuzyScorpion 05:56:00 AM Dec 06 2007

The celeb mug shots of various celebs, or wannabe celebs, really let you see their "true colors." For instance, the scuzzy mug shot of Jessica Sierra (one time American Idol cast-off). Unfortuantely, Jessica looks like a prostitute, just arrested and booked at the station... Just waiting for her pimp to pick her up...

IMBAMBOO144 05:54:40 AM Dec 06 2007

I have a drink'n problem-HIC-UP , wanna help me, oh, sorry there is no help for me

MARK6470 05:53:00 AM Dec 06 2007

A news report about a "drunk Irish" actor only reinforces a ethnic sterotype.

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