The body of Oliver Reed, the actor almost more noted for his barnstorming lifestyle than his success on the screen, was flown to Cork Airport yesterday.
He had expressed a wish to be buried in Buttevant, Co Cork, near where he had lived for some years.
Fellow actors Peter O'Toole and Richard Harris are expected to arrive in the north Cork town over the next few days to mark his passing. His partner, Josephine, was also due in Cork last night and was expected to accompany the coffin to Churchtown, outside Buttevant, where Reed drank in the local pubs and was a supporter of many local charities.
The family of three-year-old Joanne O'Riordan, who was born without hands and legs, were particularly grateful to the actor who was instrumental in having £90,000 raised to help her have a more normal life.
