Irish rock band The Script’s co-founder and guitarist Mark Sheehan has passed away at the age of 46 after a brief illness.

The band announced the news on their social media pages and asked fans to respect the privacy of Sheehan’s family and bandmates.

Sheehan founded the group in 2001 with Danny O’Donoghue and Glen Power.

In addition to being a guitarist, Sheehan was also a singer and songwriter who had a passion for music from a young age.

The Script’s statement referred to Sheehan as a “much loved husband, father, brother, band mate, and friend.” Ireland’s President, Michael D.

Higgins, paid tribute to Sheehan, saying that he was an “outstanding” example of Irish musical success on the world stage.

Higgins added that The Script’s six UK number one albums and a number three album in the US were a “remarkable achievement.”

Sheehan’s contemporaries in the entertainment industry also mourned his loss.

Irish presenter Laura Whitmore expressed her condolences on Instagram, saying that Sheehan was “one of the nicest and most talented men you could meet.” Kodaline, another Irish rock band, tweeted that they were “so sorry to hear of the passing of Mark Sheehan.”

Jedward, an Irish pop duo, shared an Instagram tribute and called Sheehan a “talented musician from The Script, one of the most iconic Irish groups of our generation.”

Sheehan was born on 29 October 1976 in Dublin’s Mount Brown in The Liberties area.

He was married to Reena Sheehan, and they had three children.

Sheehan was a member of the band Mytown from 1996-2001, along with The Script’s frontman Danny O’Donoghue.

The Script was formed in Dublin in 2001, with Sheehan as the guitarist, O’Donoghue as the singer-songwriter, and Power as the drummer.

After signing a record contract with Sony Music Group, the band moved to London and released their first full album, “We Cry,” which reached number one in both Ireland and the UK.

Their next three albums, “Science & Faith,” “#3,” and “No Sound Without Silence,” also topped the album charts in both countries.

“Science & Faith” reached number three in the US and number two in Australia.

The Script has been known for its Irish themes combined with pop-rock nuances, and their writing from the heart, including “If You Could See Me Now,” which addresses the death of vocalist O’Donoghue’s father and both of Sheehan’s parents.

Sheehan had a short break from the stage in 2022, missing the US leg of the band’s tour.

O’Donoghue told the media that his bandmate had taken a break to spend time with his family.

He described the group as “a band of brothers” who “stick together no matter what.”

In 2013, The Script had the opportunity to perform for the Queen when she visited the BBC’s Broadcasting House.

The Script’s performance was watched by the Queen, who briefly chatted with O’Donoghue.

Sheehan said that when he was told about the royal engagement, he thought “people were playing a joke on us.”

The Script is scheduled to support American artist P!nk during her European tour later this year.

Fans of the band have been left shocked by Sheehan’s death, and many have taken to social media to express their sadness.