The wife of The Script guitarist Mark Sheehan faces heartbreak tonight after he passed away at the age of 46 after a short illness, leaving her behind after 17 years of marriage along with their three children.
Sheehan died in hospital on Friday, leaving his bandmates “totally devastated.”
Are Passing Shock was announced on the Irish band’s official Facebook pagejust two weeks after the group’s final performance was announced.
Their statement read: ‘Dearly loved 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.”
Sad news: The Script’s guitarist, Mark Sheehan, has sadly passed away, it’s been announced (pictured in 2020)
Heartbreak: The father-of-three lived in America with wife Rina (pictured) and his ‘totally devastated’ bandmates are said to be busy making flight plans for family and friends
The father of three lived in America with wife Rina and their children, who kept out of the spotlight and led a very private life
The father of three lived in America with wife Rina and their children, who kept out of the spotlight and led a very private life.
Outside of the band, Sheehan was also a private man, taking care to protect his family from the fame The Script brought.
Rina, from Texas, met the guitarist after flying to the US with the band when she joined the group as a backing vocalist in the studio.
They had a private wedding in 2005 and had their first child, Cameron, in 2008, with two more to follow, Avery and Lil.
The couple had been married for over 17 years and had always been fiercely protective of their children’s privacy.
Describing how he met Rina in 2008, Sheehan told the Irish Mirror: ‘Rina is from Texas, we met on the road. I produced and worked in different studios.
“We just clicked the usual way.”
In 2021, Sheehan took time away from the band, missing nearly a year’s worth of gigs to spend more time with his family.
“His kids needed a father and his wife needed a man,” lead singer Danny O’Donoghue, 42, said at the time.
He went on to say it was the “best thing that could have happened” and the musician returned to the trio “refreshed”.
He has previously said that Sheehan was “the perfect songwriting partner” and that the pair collaborated on a slew of hits.
RIP: Their statement read: ‘Beloved husband, father, brother, bandmate and friend Mark Sheehan passed away today in hospital after a short illness’
RIP: His shocking passing was announced on the Irish band’s official Facebook page on Friday, two weeks after the group’s final 2019 performance was announced (LR) by (LR) Mark Sheehan, Danny O’Donoghue and Glen Joseph
Ireland’s President, Michael D Higgins, offered his personal condolences to Rina and the couple’s children.
In a lengthy statement, he praised him as an “outstanding” example of Irish “musical success” on the world stage.
“All those who knew Mark Sheehan, and the millions of others who enjoyed and appreciated his music, will have been deeply shocked to learn of his untimely death,” the president said.
‘It was a sign of the originality and excellence that Mark and his bandmates were looking for in The Script that they saw such success around the world, including six number one albums in the UK and a number three album in the United States. States – A Truly Remarkable Achievement.
“It was a great honor and privilege when I was given the opportunity to host Mark and The Script at their performance at Aras an Uachtarain in 2013 as part of my initiative Glaoch – The President’s Call, which showcases Ireland’s creativity, reach and fourth impact. 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 of course his family who will suffer the greatest loss. May I express my deepest condolences to Mark’s wife Rina, to his children Cameron, Avery and Lil, to his bandmates in The Script, and to all of his family and friends.”
The music world has paid tribute to the star following his sudden death.
Fellow Irish rock band Kodaline said in a statement on Twitter: ‘I am sorry to hear of Mark Sheehan’s passing.
“We were very fortunate to spend time in his company over the years and he was always such a lovely man. Deepest condolences to his family and his @thescript brothers.’
Band: The group formed in Dublin in 2001, with Mark on guitar, Glen Power on drums and Danny singing
Family man: Mark (left) took time away from the band, missing nearly a year of 2021 gigs to spend more time with his family
Rushing to the comments section, former Love Island host Laura Whitmore wrote, “Thinking of all of you right now. Mark was one of the nicest and most talented men you could meet x’
Irish pop duo Jedward said: ‘Everyone in the Irish music industry and worldwide is mourning your loss RIP Mark such a talented musician from The Script [and] one of the most iconic Irish groups of our generation.’
Musician LYRA said, “I’m sorry to hear this, I’m sending so much love.”
DOI’s Matt Evers added, “Sending love to you boys.”
John Barrowman wrote, ‘Oh no, so very sad. [Love] for you and his family’.
JP Cooper added, “This is devastating! Such a lovely, caring, warm-hearted man! I’m very sorry!’.
And former Love Island host Laura Whitmore wrote, “Thinking of all of you right now. Mark was one of the nicest and most talented men you could meet x’.
The group formed in Dublin in 2001, with Mark on guitar, Glen Power on drums and Danny singing.
They sold more than 20 million records worldwide The Man Who Can’t Be Moved, for the first time, We Cry and Hall of Fame.
At the end of March it was reported that the group would play at The Halls in Wolverhampton in June.
Danny added in his 2022 chat that the release of the group’s single Dare You To Doubt Me was about spreading positivity in a dark world.
He added: “With everything going on in the world, we want to spread a positive message that no matter how hard things are, we all come out bigger, better and stronger. Do not think so? Well, I dare you to doubt me!’
Friends: Danny (left) said his friend was “the perfect songwriting partner” and the pair collaborated on a slew of hits.
Danny and Mark penned the tune around the opening days of the group’s arena tour last summer with co-writers and collaborators Jimbo Barry and David Lucius King, as well as Toby Gad, the songwriter behind John Legend’s All Of Me, Beyoncé’s “If I Were a Boy ‘.
In 2021, James Arthur settled a copyright lawsuit with the band over his hit song Say You Won’t Let Go.
The former X Factor star faced a legal dispute from the Irish band after they claimed the song was “too similar” to their 2008 chart-topper, The Man Who Can’t Be Moved.
According to The mirrorthe terms of the settlement are unknown after both parties agreed not to speak publicly about the deal.
MailOnline has reached out to representatives for James and The Script for comment at the time.
While the exact terms of the settlement are unknown, The Script’s frontman Danny and the band’s guitarist Mark were added as songwriters on James’ most popular song.