The Script co-founder and guitarist Mark Sheehan passed away on April 14, 2023. He was 46.

Sheehan died after a brief illness, which has remained undisclosed.

The official statement of the group released a statement regarding his sudden passing, “Much loved husband, father, brother, bandmate 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,” the Irish rock group added.

In 2021, Mark Sheehan skipped out on the U.S. leg of the band’s world tour due to unknown reasons. However, his childhood friend and the group’s lead vocalist and keyboardist Danny O’Donoghue later confirmed it was due to family commitments.

“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,” O’Donoghue had said at the time.

The late rocker co-founded The Script with Danny O’Donoghue, 42, and drummer Glen Power, 41, in 2001. The band released its eponymous album in 2008 and is famed for all-time hits including the singles We Cry, The Man Who Can’t Be Moved, Breakeven, and Before the Worst.

Over the years The Script released five more studio albums and have since sold over 20 million albums worldwide.

Mark Sheehan is survived by his wife of 17 years Rina Sheehan and their three children – Cameron, 15, Avery, and Lil.