by Tributes from across the music industry are pouring in following the death of The Script co-founder and guitarist Mark Sheehan.
The Irish musician died after a short illness at the age of 46.
“Beloved husband, father, brother, bandmate and friend Mark Sheehan passed away today in hospital after a short illness,” the band said in a statement on Friday (April 14).
“The family and group ask fans to respect their privacy at this tragic time.”
Singer Danny O’Donoghue and Sheehan were best friends growing up in Dublin before forming the rock band in 2001 with the addition of drummer Glen Power.
They released their self-titled debut album in August 2008, which featured the hit singles “The Man Who Can’t Be Moved” and “Breakeven”.
After six studio albums, the band released a Greatest Hits compilation in 2021.
Scroll down for live updates and tributes to Sheehan as they arrive.
key points
A reminder of The Script’s statement
Saturday, April 15, 2023 00:27 , Tom Murray
Sheehan’s band broke the news of his death on Friday (April 14). In a short statement shared on Twitter, the band wrote:
“Beloved husband, father, brother, bandmate and friend Mark Sheehan passed away today in hospital after a short illness.
“The family and group ask fans to respect their privacy at this tragic time.”
The President of Ireland issues a statement on Sheehan’s death
Friday, April 14, 2023 at 11.59pm , Tom Murray
Irish President Michael D Higgins has just released a statement on Sheehan’s death.
It reads: “All who knew Mark Sheehan, and those millions of others who enjoyed and enjoyed his music, will have been deeply shocked to hear of his untimely death.
“It was a sign of the originality and excellence that Mark and his band mates in The Script sought to see such worldwide success including six number one albums in the UK and one number three album in the UK. United States – a truly remarkable achievement .
“It was a great honor and privilege when I had the opportunity to host Mark and The Script when they performed at Áras an Uachtaráin in 2013 as part of my Glaoch – The President’s Call initiative, which celebrated Irish creativity and its reach and impact around the world.
“Through their music, Mark and The Script have played an outstanding role in continuing and promoting this proud tradition of Irish musical success around the world.
“While Mark will be missed by so many, it is his family who will obviously suffer the greatest loss. May I extend my deepest condolences to Mark’s wife Rina, his children Cameron, Avery and Lil, his bandmates in The Script and all of his family and friends.
The president concluded with an Irish phrase, “suaimhneas síoraí dá anam”, which means “eternal peace to his soul”.
Label calls The Script ‘one of Ireland’s biggest bands’
Friday 14th April 2023 11.30pm , Tom Murray
In a tweet, The Script’s Sony Music label paid tribute to Sheehan.
“We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Mark Sheehan, a hugely talented songwriter, guitarist and founding member of The Script, one of Ireland’s biggest bands,” he wrote. “Our thoughts are with his family, band members and fans at this time.”
The Irish politician reacts to the news
Friday, April 14, 2023 10:43 pm , Tom Murray
Irish Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media Catherine Martin paid tribute to Sheehan on Twitter.
“The news of the sudden loss of Mark Sheehan comes as a major shock to music lovers everywhere and the legions of The Script fans around the world. My deepest condolences to his family, band members and friends. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam,” he wrote.
The Irish phrase it ends on translates to: “May his holy soul be on God’s right side.”
Where was Sheehan from?
Friday, April 14, 2023 10:11 pm , Tom Murray
Sheehan was born in Mount Brown in The Liberties area of Dublin, Ireland. He became best friends with The Script singer Danny O’Donoghue at the age of 12.
Sheehan and Donoghue have spoken about the impact Sheehan’s parents had on their self-titled debut album in the past.
“My father died when I was 14 and my mother died two years ago. She was the reason we returned to Ireland,” Sheehan said The Irish Mirror in 2008.
“We signed our record deal in America, then moved home to record the album because he had a stroke.”
Boyzone star pays tribute
Friday 14 April 2023 21:46 , Tom Murray
Boyzone’s Mikey Graham tweeted on Friday: “Today we lost another young music legend in The Script’s Mark Sheehan. I can and do understand the pain Glen and Danny are feeling right now and their families as well. All my love and support to you right now. You gave the world your music, it will bring you home Mark.
American authors send love
Friday 14 April 2023 21:01 , Tom Murray
Rock band American Authors (formerly known as The Blue Pages) responded to The Script’s announcement.
“Sending you all our love,” the band tweeted alongside three heart emojis.
OneRepublic frontman Ryan Tedder reacts in shock
Friday, April 14, 2023 at 8.45pm , Tom Murray
American singer-songwriter Ryan Tedder, best known for fronting boyband OneRepublic, had a stunned reaction to the news of Sheehan’s death.
In response to the band announcement, Tedder tweeted: “I can’t BELIEVE we will miss him so much one of the best guys I’ve ever had the pleasure of touring and hanging out with. This is awful.
Sheehan is survived by his wife and three children
Friday 14 April 2023 8.30pm , Tom Murray
Sheehan was married to Reena Sheehan, a Texas singer he met while working on music for The Script. The couple shared three children and lived together in America.
Sheehan missed the US leg of the band’s tour last year
Friday, April 14, 2023 at 8.10pm , Tom Murray
O’Donoghue said World Sunday Sheehan took a break from touring The Script last year to spend time with his family.
“It’s his story to tell, but yeah, I guess if I could paraphrase, his kids needed a father and his wife needed a husband,” the singer said.
“It’s been the engine of The Script for so long, [I told him] that “if you want to take some time for your family you are more than welcome, and I insist that you go and do it”.
He added that the group have been supportive and described them as “a band of brothers” who “stick together no matter what.”
Clip of Sheehan singing with O’Donoghue shared by fans
Friday, April 14, 2023 8:03 pm , Tom Murray
A clip of Sheehan from The Script’s last concert in Belfast has been shared by fans following the guitarist’s death.
The video features him singing with singer O’Donoghue and interacting with the person he is filming.
Fellow Irish rockers Kodaline remember Sheehan
Friday, April 14, 2023 at 7.36pm , Tom Murray
Kodaline, another Irish rock band who rose to fame in the early 2010s, shared their condolences.
“So sorry to hear of the passing of Mark Sheehan! We have had the great fortune to spend time in his company over the years and he has always been such a lovely man! Deepest condolences to his family and brothers @thescript.”
The Independent’s music correspondent pays tribute
Friday, April 14, 2023 at 7.33pm , Tom Murray
The independent‘s head of music, Roisin O’Connor, shared a tweet about Sheehan’s impact following his death.
“The script was EVERYWHERE in the 2010s, you couldn’t watch a teen drama series or turn on the radio without hearing one of their songs,” she wrote. “A lot of that is down to Mark Sheehan: great hooks, beautiful rich guitar tones. Damnation.”
Band remembers Sheehan as ‘husband, father, brother, bandmate’
Friday 14 April 2023 7.15pm , Tom Murray
The Script announced the news of Sheehan’s death on Twitter on Friday night.
Alongside a brief statement, they shared a profile photo of the guitarist.
