Tudors Actor Accepts Caution Over Airport Drinking

The actor Jonathan Rhys-Meyers, currently starring in the BBC series The Tudors, today accepted a caution for being drunk and disorderly at Dublin airport last month.

Because no charges will now be brought by the State, Rhys-Meyers will not receive a criminal record.

The Irish actor had been charged with being drunk and disorderly and breaching the peace after he was barred from boarding a British Midland plane at Dublin airport on November 18.

Rhys-Meyers, whose mother died two weeks ago, did not turn up at the court in central Dublin, but his solicitor said he accepted responsibility and apologized.

A solicitor for the director of public prosecutions told judge Angela Ni Chonduin the State did not wish to proceed with the charges, but would deal with the case through the adult cautioning scheme.

This scheme allows for an adult to be cautioned, and means that the actor will not be convicted of any offenses.

Rhys-Meyers' solicitor, Michael Staines, said his client accepted his behavior on the day was unacceptable.

"My client ... instructed me to say he absolutely accepts his behavior was unacceptable and out of character," said Staines. He unreservedly apologizes, in particular, to British Midland staff, to security staff and gardai."

Staines said his client, who also played the male lead in the London-set Woody Allen film Match Point, alongside Scarlett Johansson, would be making a voluntary contribution to a charity.