Trainees Allege Bias in Misconduct Interviews

Four trainee gardaí who handcuffed a fellow student have been granted permission to challenge their termination from the Garda College in Templemore.

The trainees claim that interviewing inspectors had “instantly decided” they were guilty of misconduct before conducting a fair investigation, according to reports from TheJournal.ie dated April 16, 2026.

The decision to allow the legal challenge comes amid ongoing scrutiny of internal investigation procedures within the Garda training system, particularly regarding how allegations of misconduct are assessed and whether cognitive biases may influence outcomes.

Research indicates that cognitive bias can significantly affect decision-making in investigative contexts, with forensic science practitioners advised to seek foundational training in human factors and bias to reduce its impact on professional judgments.