Jonathan Rhys Meyers sued by airline worker over assault claims

Rhys Meyers was allegedly drunk after downing vodkas at New York's JFK Airport and behaved so “outrageously and shockingly” that it exceeded all “reasonable bounds of decency”, according to the complaint.

Kathryn Williams, a United Airlines customer services director, has filed a lawsuit against the Irish actor in the Supreme Court in Queens, New York.

The airline worker's lawyer, Jeff Berson, said Rhys Meyers' representatives have already been in touch to discuss the suit.

Williams claims to have suffered permanent physical damage and severe emotional distress following the incident last May. She also claims that the alleged attack has left her unable to attend to her usual work duties.

The lawsuit alleges, “that on May 7, 2010, at approximately 6.00am… the defendant committed tortuous acts consisting of verbally and physically abusing plaintiff causing her to sustain physical injuries and severe emotional distress.”

It continues: “Defendant Jonathan Rhys Meyers willfully, maliciously, wantonly and without any just cause or provocation assaulted and battered plaintiff Kathryn Williams.”

The 33-year-old Dublin-born actor, who is now barred for life from flying with United Airlines, has a troubled history with alcohol – and airports. In 2007, he was arrested at Dublin Airport for being drunk and in breach of the peace, although no charges were brought.

And two years later, at Charles De Gaulle Airport, in Paris, he was again arrested after allegedly attacking airport bar staff.

The Match Point star has previously admitted: “When I do drink I'm like Bambi. I am all over the place, hopeless like a 16-year-old.”