Rhys Meyers mourns death of mother

The mother of Hollywood star Jonathan Rhys Meyers has died after a short illness, it was confirmed today.

Geraldine “Geri” Meyers-O’Keeffe, aged 50, died at the Mercy University Hospital in Cork yesterday morning just days after the actor was arrested at Dublin Airport.

The troubled 'Tudors' star, who has been wrestling with personal problems including heavy drinking, was said to be exceptionally close to his mother.

Mrs Meyers-O'Keeffe spoke of how proud she was when the pair attended a civic reception in his honour at City Hall in Cork in January last year.

Behind the public rise to fame and fortune, which has seen Meyers, 30, scoop a prestigious Golden Globe award, he has battled with difficulties in his private life.

Earlier this year, shortly after the release of 'Mission Impossible III', he checked into a US rehabilitation clinic to be treated for alcohol-related problems.

He is to appear before Dublin District Court next month on public order charges after he was allegedly refused permission to board a flight to London on Sunday.

The actor was arrested by gardaí at Dublin Airport and taken to a nearby police station where he was charged with being drunk and in breach of the peace.