Mark Sheehan death – latest: The Script lead tributes to ‘much loved’ guitarist
The Script guitarist’s death was announced Friday
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Tributes from across the music industry are flooding in following the death of The Script’s co-founder and guitarist Mark Sheehan.
The Irish musician died after a brief illness aged 46.
“Much loved husband, father, brother, bandmate and friend Mark Sheehan passed away today in hospital after a brief illness,” the band said in a statement on Friday (14 April).
“The family and group ask fans to respect their privacy at this tragic time.”
Lead vocalist 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 eponymous debut album in August 2008, which featured the hit singles “The Man Who Can’t Be Moved” and “Breakeven”.
Following six studio albums, the band released a Greatest Hits compilation album in 2021.
Scroll down for live updates and tributes to Sheehan as they come in.
Hozier sends condolences
Fellow Irish hitmaker Hozier shared his love with The Script on Instagram. Commenting on the post announcing Sheehan’s death, Hozier – real name Andrew Hozier-Byrne – wrote: “So saddened to hear about this. Thinking of you all and of Mark’s family right now and sending love. Sincere condolences to you all.”
Has a cause of death been given?
So far, all we know is that Sheehan passed away in hospital following “a brief illness”. He was 46.
No further information has been made available and the band has asked for “privacy at this tragic time”.
Fans share memories of Sheehan
Many fans responded to The Script’s announcement with their own anecdotes from meeting Sheehan.
“I’m so gutted to be reading this!!! I met u all about 10 years ago in DUBAI and we had the best night!! Non stop laughing he was such a nice guy!! RIP Mark,” one fan wrote alongside a photo from the night.
“Heart broken. I can never thank Mark enough for everything he has done for me over the years. Thinking of you all!” wrote another.
Somebody else shared a selfie with the guitarist with the caption: “Oh wow, he was so amazing. I’ll never forget meeting him in 2011!”
Kodaline’s tribute to Sheehan
Fellow Irish rockers Kodaline were among the very first people to react to The Script’s statement.
The band wrote on Twitter: “So sorry to hear the passing of Mark Sheehan! We had the great fortune of getting to spend time in his company over the years and was always such a lovely man! Deepest condolences to his family and his @thescript brothers.”
The Independent’s Roisin O’Connor remembers The Script being ‘everywhere'
The Independent’s music chief, Roisin O’Connor shared her tribute to Sheehan on Twitter, writing: “The Script were 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 was down to Mark Sheehan - great hooks, beautiful rich guitar tones. Damn.”
Why did Sheehan take a career break?
O’Donoghue told Sunday World last year that Sheehan had taken a break from The Script’s US tour to spend time with his family.
“It’s his story to tell, but yeah, I guess if I could paraphrase, his children needed a father and his wife needed a husband,” the singer said.
“He’s been the engine of The Script for such a long time, [I told him] that ‘if you want to take a bit of time out for your family you are more than welcome to, and I insist on you going and doing it’.
He added that the group were supportive and described them as “a band of brothers” who “stick together no matter what”.
A reminder of The Script’s statement
Sheehan’s band broke the news of his death on Friday (14 April). In a short statement shared on Twitter, the band wrote:
“Much loved husband, father, brother, band mate and friend Mark Sheehan passed away today in hospital after a brief illness.
“The family and group ask fans to respect their privacy at this tragic time.”
President of Ireland releases statement on Sheehan’s death
The Irish president, Michael D Higgins has just released a statement regarding Sheehan’s death.
It reads: “All those who knew Mark Sheehan, and those millions more who enjoyed and appreciated his music, will have been deeply shocked to hear of his too-early death.
“It was a mark of the originality and excellence that Mark and his bandmates in The Script sought that they saw such success across the world, including six number one albums in the UK and a number three album in the United States – a truly remarkable achievement.
“It was a great honour and a privilege when I had the opportunity of hosting Mark and The Script when they performed at Áras an Uachtaráin in 2013 as part of my initiative Glaoch – The President’s Call, which celebrated Irish creativity and its reach and impact across the world.
“Through their music, Mark and The Script have played an outstanding part in continuing and promoting this proud tradition of Irish musical success across the world.
“While Mark will be missed by so many, it is his family who will of course experience the greatest loss. May I extend my deepest sympathies to Mark’s wife Rina, to his children Cameron, Avery and Lil, to his bandmates in The Script, and to all 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 greatest bands'
In a tweet, The Script’s label Sony Music paid tribute to Sheehan.
“We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Mark Sheehan – a hugely talented songwriter, guitarist and founder member of The Script, one of Ireland’s greatest bands,” it wrote. “Our thoughts are with his family, fellow band members and fans at this time.”
Irish politician reacts to the news
The Irish Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin paid tribute to Sheehan on Twitter.
“News of the sudden loss of Mark Sheehan is a great shock to music lovers everywhere and to The Script’s legions of fans around the world. My deepest condolences to his family, fellow band members and friends. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam,” she wrote.
The Irish phrase she ends on translates to: “May his holy soul be on the right side of God”.
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