A 10am tipple as Jonathan Rhys Meyers mourns mother's death

Troubled Jonathan Rhys Meyers cracked open a can of extrastrong cider in the street at 10am yesterday - two days after being involved in a fracas at Dublin airport.

The actor, who plays Henry VIII in the BBC2 drama The Tudors, has been treated for alcohol problems twice this year.

Pictures of the 30-year-old drinking in North London were taken hours after the death of his mother at a hospital in Cork.

Geri Meyers O'Keeffe, 50, who was known to have been in poor health, died at 7am at the Mercy Hospital soon after being admitted.

She leaves three other sons, Jamie, Alan and Paul. The cause of death was not known last night.

Rhys Meyers was arrested in Dublin on Sunday.

He allegedly became aggressive when airport staff refused to allow him to board a flight to London because they believed he was drunk. He fell off a seat and lay asleep on the floor as he waited for the flight.

When he finally came round, he was led away by security but became abusive, say witnesses, and told a female airport worker to '**** off'.

Rhys Meyers was arrested and charged with being drunk and disorderly and with a breach of the peace.

Last night, members of his family at Mrs Meyers O'Keeffe's neat bungalow in the Cork suburb of Glanmire were too distressed to talk.

She had celebrated her 50th birthday last January when friends in her local pub The Riverstown Inn threw a surprise party for her.

Last night regulars in the bar were stunned by the suddenness of her death. One said: "I saw her last week and she was in great form.

"I know she was ill in February but she pulled through that. We just cannot believe she is gone. She was a lovely women.

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"She was extremely proud of Jonathan. She used to tell us she knew from the time he was born that he was destined for great things."

Last night Meridith O'Sullivan, Jonathan's LA based publicist confirmed that his mother had died.

She stated "I can confirm she passed away, but there are no more details tonight."