OK.   Andy's U.S. booking agent responded pretty quickly. Between that note and perusing some fans' chatter, here's what I found:

-The back surgery was scheduled for December, to relieve nerve pressure from a slipped disk. Sounds like the procedure went well; as of New Year's Eve he was on the mend, and beginning physical therapy the first week of January.

-Andy was NOT one of the Green Linnet artists that sued. (Whether that means he simply wasn't affected, or was affected but took the situation in stride, was not specified. I didn't press further.)

-There have been a few channels by which fans and colleagues have been making contributions, the DC benefit concert being one. Wish I'd known about that one, I might have pulled some strings to make an appearance.

I am still awaiting a response from my note to Chivalry Music. If I get further details I'll post them.

Slán,

~Fionn

www.geocities.com/children_of_lir