Irish prosecutors drop charges against Rhys Meyers after airport row

Last Updated: Wednesday, December 5, 2007 | 10:39 AM ET

CBC News

Irish officials said on Wednesday they have dropped charges of public drunkenness and disrupting the peace against The Tudors star Jonathan Rhys Meyers.

The 30-year-old Irish actor was arrested last month after he behaved erratically and abusively towards Dublin airport staff who refused to allow him to board a flight to London. Authorities believed the actor had been drinking.

Rhys Meyers, who spent some time at an alcohol rehabilitation clinic earlier this year, did not appear at an arraignment in Dublin District Court on Wednesday.
However, state prosecutors said they have dropped the charges after the actor apologized.

Still, the actor was given a legal caution, and if he repeats his abusive actions in public in Ireland again, he could face even harsher penalties.

Michael Staines, the actor's lawyer, called the behaviour "unacceptable and out of character," and said Rhys Meyers planned to make a donation to an unspecified charity to make amends for his actions.

The Nov. 18 incident, which followed a TV appearance to promote the actor's new film August Rush, came amid a tumultuous week for Rhys Meyers.

Geraldine Meyers-O'Keeffe, who raised the actor and his three brothers as a single mother, died just days later.