Mark Sheehan, The Script guitarist dies aged 46

Mark Sheehan passed away.

Mark Sheehan, the guitarist and co-founder of the Irish rock group The Script, has passed away.

The band revealed that the 46-year-old passed away on Friday in a hospital after a brief illness.

Along with drummer Glen Power and vocalist Danny O'Donoghue, Sheehan founded the band in 2001.

Sheehan was described as a "much loved husband, father, brother, band mate and friend", in a statement posted on the group's social media pages.

It requested that supporters respect his family's and his bandmates' privacy.

Sheehan, according to Michael D. Higgins, the president of Ireland, is a "outstanding" illustration of Irish musical accomplishment on a global scale.

"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," he said.

Mark Sheehan is remembered

Sheehan's colleagues in the entertainment sector were eager to pay tribute to him.

Irish personality Laura Whitmore wrote, “Thinking of you all at this time” in a statement posted on Instagram.

"Mark was one of the nicest and most talented men you could meet."

Kodaline, another Irish rock band, also paid respects by tweeting, "So sorry to hear (of) the passing of Mark Sheehan."

In an Instagram tribute, Irish pop duo Jedward said, "Everyone in the Irish music industry and worldwide mourn your loss RIP Mark such a talented musician from The Script one of the most iconic Irish groups of our generation."