Blue Lights team relied on trainee Belfast solicitor over dark Troubles storyline

Hit TV series Blue Lights bosses turned to a trainee solicitor to help them create a sensitive storyline they knew could deeply affect countless viewers of the show.

Áine Rice, 25, from Newry, Co Down, specialises in Troubles and historical abuse cases, and in October she will be taking up a role as a litigator om the Legacy

But before her expertise has already been called into play inside the BBC's global hit series Blue Lights as they tackled an historic abuse storyline, familiar to many survivors who live with the reality of their own suffering.

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Áine who works for leading Belfast firm KRW Law, told Belfast Live: "Blue Lights couldn’t be more topical given recent legislation brought in to try and stop cases like the one profiled in the show.

"There’s a mad irony in that the Happy character, in real life now wouldn’t be able to have his case resolved because of the British Government’s Legacy Act.

"I was already a huge fan of the show so when the request came through and I realised that I would be helping develop a character I was only too happy to help."

In the series Happy Kelly's character was just 20 when he heard about a planned bombing from a reliable source. To protect the young asset – who went on to supply intelligence for 20 years, saving many lives – the chip shop explosion was allowed to go ahead.

At the prospect of learning the truth behind his family’s deaths, Happy Kelly played by Paddy Jenkins, lived up to his name on the surface while dealing with his demons silently.

Producers of the show knew their planned storyline for series two could trigger man watching, and before it hit BBC One and iPlayer, they contacted Belfast firm, KRW Law with the hope of finding a team member to advise on the sensitive storyline.

And Áine was engaged to consult with director/writer Declan Lawn and actor Hannah McClean who plays former police response officer turned trainee solicitor, Jen Robinson.

As a solicitor, Jen’s storyline focused on a controversial legacy-related case involving one of the show’s much-loved characters, Happy Kelly.

Áine said: “I met with Declan Lawn and Hannah and we talked through the huge sensitivities that arise when representing a bereaved family or other victim of a Troubles-related incident.

“It’s gratifying to think that my contribution, modest as it was, fed into this key storyline in the second series.

“I'd no idea when I started my traineeship two years ago, that I’d fine myself engaging with the creative team behind a global hit TV drama.

“It was really interesting to see some of the issues we talked about play out on screen. I could readily identify, not just with Jen but also with the Happy Kelly character, having met many clients in real life who are suffering from PTSD just like him.

“He wanted some sort of closure but because that never happened he had to take matters into his own hands by bringing his own legal case - Jen helps him on that journey to find answers.

Speaking on the contribution made by Áine to the Jen Robinson storyline, writer and executive producer of Blue Lights, Declan Lawn said: “All of the storylines in Blue Lights come from meticulous research.

“Áine was an invaluable help to myself and Hannah in talking us through both the logistics of her job and the emotional landscape of it.

“We’re extremely grateful to her and delighted that she is soon to qualify as a solicitor, just like her fictional counterpart.”

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