☕ Union blames ‘continued failure’ by department ... | Moghrey Mie · 14 Feb

Moghrey Mie 🇮🇲
Saturday, 14 February 2026
☕ ~7 min read · 15 stories from 65 sources
Moghrey mie! It's a bitter Saturday in Douglas — clear, 2°C (feels like -1°C), 4mph NW. High of 6°C. ☀ 07:40 — 🌙 17:24. Some developing stories to bring you up to speed.
⚡ Today in 30 Seconds
• Union blames ‘continued failure’ by department as bus drivers confirm 10-day walkout — A dispute between bus drivers and the government has reached a boiling point, with a union pointing fingers at the...
• Mountain Likely to Stay Closed All Weekend — Island residents and visitors alike are facing a weekend without access to the island's mountain, as it's expected to...
• Manx Wildlife Trust seeks planning approval for new freshwater wetlands in Patrick — Conservation efforts on the Isle of Man are set to receive a boost, courtesy of the Manx Wildlife Trust.
• 'Heavy snow' shuts Mountain Road until further notice — Island commuters are facing a disruption to their daily routines as a blanket of heavy snow has led to the closure of...
• AK47 Amongst Guns Handed Into Police — A recent firearms surrender has yielded a notable collection of weapons, with island residents taking advantage of the...
📚 Manx Reading Corner
TT Races: The Isle of Man's Greatest Sporting Event Stunning photography and stories from the world's most dangerous race. Amazon Associate link
📰 Top Stories (14)

🔴 Union blames ‘continued failure’ by department as bus drivers confirm 10-day walkout
A dispute between bus drivers and the government has reached a boiling point, with a union pointing fingers at the department's handling of the situation. The union's criticism comes as drivers have now confirmed plans to walk off the job for a period of 10 days, citing what they see as a lack of progress in negotiations.

Mountain Likely to Stay Closed All Weekend
Island residents and visitors alike are facing a weekend without access to the island's mountain, as it's expected to remain closed until further notice. The popular destination, a staple of the Isle of Man's natural beauty, will likely be out of bounds for all outdoor enthusiasts and thrill-seekers. With no indication of a reopening, locals and tourists will have to explore alternative activities and attractions for their weekend plans.
📰 Manx Radio · Manx.news
Manx Wildlife Trust seeks planning approval for new freshwater wetlands in Patrick
Conservation efforts on the Isle of Man are set to receive a boost, courtesy of the Manx Wildlife Trust. The charity has submitted a planning application to transform a site in Patrick into a thriving freshwater wetland, complete with a range of features designed to attract and support local wildlife. As part of the proposal, the trust aims to construct three bird hides, offering visitors a unique opportunity to observe the area's avian inhabitants.
📰 Manx Radio · IOM Today
'Heavy snow' shuts Mountain Road until further notice
Island commuters are facing a disruption to their daily routines as a blanket of heavy snow has led to the closure of the A18 Mountain Road, with no immediate indication of when it will reopen.
📰 Manx Radio · IOM Today

AK47 Amongst Guns Handed Into Police
A recent firearms surrender has yielded a notable collection of weapons, with island residents taking advantage of the opportunity to safely dispose of unwanted guns. The haul includes a double-barreled shotgun, a high-powered hunting rifle, and several viable handguns. Perhaps most striking, however, are the two deactivated automatic weapons - an AK47 and an Uzi - which were also handed over to the authorities.

A18 Mountain Road could remain shut for the entire weekend
Island drivers are facing a potentially lengthy disruption as the A18 Mountain Road may stay closed throughout the weekend, courtesy of the current wintry weather.

Uzi machine gun among haul of 150 firearms handed in to Isle of Man Police
Island residents have taken advantage of a recent opportunity to safely dispose of unwanted firearms, resulting in a substantial collection of weapons being handed over to local authorities. The surrendered items, totaling 150 firearms, include a notable Uzi machine gun and a powerful hunting rifle, in addition to over 500 rounds of ammunition.

Jail for man who filmed himself sexually assaulting woman as she slept
A disturbing case has come to light, leaving a woman to grapple with the lasting emotional impact of a heinous crime. The victim has spoken out about the profound effects of being sexually assaulted by a man who not only committed this horrific act while she was asleep, but also filmed the incident. The perpetrator's actions have resulted in the woman experiencing relentless anxiety and anger, a stark reminder of the severe and long-lasting consequences of such a violation.

Uzi submachine guns and ninja star handed over during police amnesty
A recent initiative by the Isle of Man Constabulary has yielded a significant haul of surrendered weapons, with some notable items standing out among the total of 150 firearms collected. Two Uzi submachine guns, a deactivated AK47, and a double-barrelled shotgun were all handed over during the amnesty period, which ran from January 13 to February 2. Additionally, air rifles, pistols, cross-bows, and even a ninja star were among the items turned in.

DOI minister wants to resolve bus dispute ahead of strike action
As the Isle of Man braces for potential disruption, a key government figure is urging calm and calling for further discussions to prevent a lengthy bus strike. The planned 10-day stoppage, set to begin on February 21, has raised concerns about the impact on daily life, but the exact effects remain uncertain. According to the infrastructure minister, negotiations have been underway, and he is keen to join the talks to find a mutually beneficial solution.

ManxPACT raises concerns over suicide rates and mental health provision on the Isle of Man
Fresh concerns have emerged about the state of mental health support on the Isle of Man, with a recent report highlighting a worrying trend in suicide rates. The document, compiled by ManxPACT, a peer-support network, paints a detailed picture of the island's mental health landscape, drawing on a range of sources including coroners' verdicts, government reports, and personal testimonies. The statistics are stark: in 2023, 14 people on the island took their own lives, translating to a rate of 16.47 deaths per 100,000 people.

Manx Care CEO questioned over health body's whistleblowing policies
A recent Tynwald committee hearing saw Teresa Cope, the chief executive of Manx Care, face scrutiny over the health body's approach to whistleblowing. When asked about the organization's policies, Cope suggested that they do not significantly deviate from those of other government departments. The committee's inquiry is part of a broader examination into the effectiveness of the Isle of Man Government's whistleblowing policies.

Man to be sentenced at higher court after admitting assault on police officer
A recent court appearance has resulted in a 34-year-old man being sent to a higher court for sentencing, following his admission of assaulting a police officer. The individual, Stephen Binding, who is currently being held at the Isle of Man Prison, had been charged with several offences stemming from an incident in October 2025. During his appearance before magistrates, Binding pleaded guilty to charges of actual bodily harm and criminal damage, while a charge of cannabis possession was dismissed due to insufficient evidence.

Isle Listen hails Zurich partnership as biggest and most successful collaboration
A significant milestone has been reached in the Isle of Man's efforts to enhance youth mental health support, thanks to a fruitful partnership between Isle Listen and the Z Zurich Foundation, along with Zurich's local presence. This five-year collaboration, which began in 2020, has yielded impressive results, with over 2,900 wellbeing sessions conducted in schools and a staggering 98,000 individuals impacted through various initiatives targeting students, families, employees, and the broader community. The partnership's initial phase, spanning three years, focused on supporting more than 3,000 pupils across 31 primary schools, while also expanding one-to-one listening services.
⚽ Sport (1)

Football: 'Take Two' for FA Cup first round clashes?
Island football fans are crossing their fingers that the weather will hold out this weekend, as a slew of postponed Ecap FA Cup first round matches are set to take place. The competition was severely disrupted six days ago due to poor conditions, with only one tie managing to go ahead. This weekend, four of the remaining seven matches are scheduled to kick off, with Castletown hosting Corinthians and Colby facing Union Mills in two of the most highly anticipated clashes.
📰 Manx Radio Sport · Manx.news
🛒 Manx Pick of the Day
Waterproof Hiking Boots Because Manx weather doesn't care about your plans. Essential footwear for the Raad ny Foillan. As an Amazon Associate, Moghrey Mie earns from qualifying purchases.
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🏛️ Tynwald Watch
No sittings this weekend. Next Keys: Tuesday.
🚢 Getting Around
⛴️ Steam Packet: ⚠️ Service disruptions reported — Check timetables
🏔️ Mountain Road: 🔴 CLOSED — 'Heavy snow' shuts Mountain Road
✈️ Ronaldsway: Normal operations
🌊 Tides: 🔻 Low 03:28 (-1.4m) · 🔺 High 09:23 (1.6m) · 🔻 Low 15:59 (-1.7m) · 🔺 High 21:52 (1.6m)
💱 £1 = €1.1493 · $1.3637 · 1.0482 CHF
🌊 Sea temp: 7.9°C · 🌘 Waning Crescent · 🌥 UV 1 — Low.
📅 Events This Week
⏳ Coming Up
- TT Race Week — 104 days (30 May)
- Parish Walk — 125 days (20 Jun)
- Tynwald Day — 140 days (05 Jul)
- Yn Chruinnaght — 153 days (18 Jul)
📜 This Day in Manx History
1825 — The first regular steamship service between Liverpool and Douglas was established by the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company
🗣️ Fockle yn Laa
Ushtey (USH-teh) — Water
🥾 For the Outdoor Manxie
Ordnance Survey Isle of Man Landranger Map Essential for every Manx walker. 1:50,000 scale covers the whole island. Amazon Associate link
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🌿 Nature
🐦 Chough — The red-billed chough — IoM's national bird — is pairing up for breeding season. Look for them on coastal cliffs, especially around the Sound.
🍳 Manx Recipe
Bonnag Cake — Sweet version: add mixed fruit, mixed spice, and treacle to the bonnag recipe. Christmas staple.
🥾 Walk of the Week
Niarbyl to Dalby (4 miles) — One of the most photographic walks on the Island. Iapetus Ocean suture zone. Moderate.
🧠 Daily Quiz
What is the name of the world's largest working waterwheel, located in Laxey? (Answer at the very bottom)
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📚 From the Bookshelf
Sudoku for Beginners: 200 Easy Large Print Puzzles by Cadence Shelley — £6.99 Stress-free brain training — perfect for a rainy Manx afternoon. Browse all books by Cadence Shelley →
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