Script guitarist dies at 46 – Billboard

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The Irish president has led a memorial for Mark Sheehan, guitarist with Irish rock band The Script, after his death at the age of 46.

The band said Sheehan died in hospital on Friday (April 14) after a short illness. In a statement, The Script called him “a much-loved husband, father, brother, bandmate and friend.”

Formed in Dublin in 2001 by Sheehan, singer Danny O’Donoghue and drummer Glen Power, The Script headlined their self-titled UK and Irish debut album in 2008. It included the hits “We Cry”, “Breakeven” and “The The Man Who Can’t Be Moved”, which reached number one in five countries.

The band’s rock sound made them one of the biggest bands in Ireland in the 2000s. The Script went on to have six top 10 albums in the UK. The group’s second album, Science and faithIt reached No. 3 on the Billboard 200 albums chart in 2011.

Irish President Michael D. Higgins praised the “authenticity and distinction” of the band, and sent his condolences to Sheehan’s family.

“Through their music, Mark and The Script have played a prominent role in continuing and enhancing this proud tradition of Irish musical success around the world,” said Higgins.

Sheehan is survived by his wife, Rina Sheehan, and their three children.