Lord Dunleath, 75, from Ballywalter Park near Newtownards, received a conviction for speeding at Antrim Magistrates' Court in Ballymena. The case involved laser detection of his vehicle at 38mph in a 30mph zone on May 31, 2023. He had been leaving Belfast International Airport after dropping off two French university students.

Lord Dunleath argued that road signs at the airport failed to warn drivers of the speed limit. He described the signage as inadequate and stated that the Department for Infrastructure lacked competence. Drivers face multiple signs for routes to Belfast and Dublin, plus reminders in several languages to drive on the left, but no repeater speed limit signs, he said.

District Judge Nigel Broderick noted the defendant's belief that signage was defective or illegal. The judge reviewed photos and found sufficient 30mph signs present. He added that Lord Dunleath had not contested seeing such signs upon entering the airport earlier.

The court recorded a prior speeding offence in 2021 with penalty points and a fine. For this incident, penalties included three penalty points, a £100 fine, and a £15 offender levy. Lord Dunleath offered immediate payment.