Mark Sheehan, co-founder and guitarist of the Irish rock band The Script, has died.

The 46-year-old died in hospital on Friday after a brief illness, according to the band.

Sheehan co-founded the band with vocalist Danny O’Donoghue and drummer Glen Power in 2001.

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

It requested fans to respect his family’s and bandmates’ privacy.

Sheehan was described as a “outstanding” example of Irish musical accomplishment on the international stage by Ireland’s president, Michael D Higgins.

“It was a sign 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 added.

Sheehan’s contemporaries in the entertainment industry were quick to pay tribute to him.

Laura Whitmore, an Irish television presenter, stated on Instagram, “Thinking of you all at this time.”

“Mark was one of the nicest and most talented men you could possibly meet.”