Rhys Meyers' Booze-Fueled Bust

"Tudors" star arrested for public drunkenness and breach of peace at Dublin Airport

By Gina Serpe Nov 19, 2007 3:45 PMTags

The star of The Tudors has been busted for some less than regal behavior.

Jonathan Rhys Meyers was arrested at the Dublin Airport Sunday and charged with public drunkenness and breach of the peace while attempting to board a London-bound flight.

Authorities say the 30-year-old Irish-born actor was twice cautioned by airport police before his arrest, first over erratic behavior exhibited at the airport gate and again at the desk of the U.K. airline British Midlands. He reportedly launched into an abusive tirade against the female worker on duty and refused repeated requests by airport police to quiet down.

At roughly 2:30 p.m., the security team called in Ireland's national police force, the Garda Siochana, which took Rhys Meyers into custody for violating two counts of the Public Order Act.

The actor was taken to Whitehall Garda police station and held for several hours, before being released on an undisclosed cash bail. He is due to return to Dublin District Court to face the charges on Dec. 5.

"I said the wrong thing to the wrong woman at the wrong time," he said of his arrest upon leaving the police station, per Britain's Sun tabloid.

Last April, the actor checked himself into an alcohol-treatment program, per his rep, "to maintain his recovery." He checked out of the program the following month.

At the time of his Sunday arrest, Rhys Meyers was en route to London for the next stop on his promotional circuit for his new film, August Rush.

On Saturday night, the actor appeared on the Irish talk show Tubridy Tonight, where he spoke of his new position as an onscreen role model.

"People are looking up to me now as the responsible one," he said.

He is currently in the midst of taping the second season of the Showtime series The Tudors in Ireland. August Rush opens Wednesday.