Rhys Meyers jets in for funeral

HEARTBROKEN actor Jonathan Rhys Meyers jetted in to Cork with his father John O’Keeffe yesterday to attend his mother’s funeral.

The Golden Globe-winning star of hit TV series The Tudors touched down at Cork Airport on board an Aer Lingus flight from Heathrow a little after 3.30pm.

Dressed in a long, black coat, with his denim jeans tucked inside a pair of black boots, the 30-year-old star was accompanied by Alan and Paul — two of his three brothers — as well as an aunt, his three-year-old nephew, and his seven-year-old niece.

Airport police kept waiting reporters and photographers at a distance as the group was escorted from the aircraft to the airport’s underground VIP area.

The group spent several minutes in a plush room before being ushered through a side entrance to a 05-registered, chauffeur-driven stretch limo and a Renault saloon car.

The group was driven away under airport police escort.

It is understood they headed for the home of Geraldine “Geri” Meyers-O’Keeffe in the quiet Glanmire suburb of Hazelwood on the outskirts of Cork city before joining other family members for a private rosary at Barry’s Funeral Home.

Ms Meyers-O’Keeffe died unexpectedly at the city’s Mercy University Hospital early on Tuesday after a short illness. She was 50.

She is also survived by a fourth son, Jamie.

Her remains will be removed to the Church of St Joseph’s tonight for burial after funeral Mass tomorrow.

It comes at a troubled time for Rhys Meyers.

He was arrested in Dublin Airport under the Public Order Act on Sunday. He was due to fly back to London after his appearance on RTÉ’s Tubridy Tonight show on Saturday.

He was later charged with being drunk and disorderly and with breaching the peace after he was refused permission to board a BMI aircraft.

He was taken to Whitehall Garda Station and held for a short time before being released on bail.

He is to appear in Dublin District Court next month.

Rhys Meyers, who stars as Henry VIII in The Tudors, was in Dublin to promote his movie August Rush, which opens tomorrow.

His acting career has taken off in the past two years, especially since he won a Golden Globe for his portrayal of Elvis in a mini-series.

However, he has battled personal problems, including heavy drinking.

He has been treated for alcohol abuse twice this year.