No insurer can be expected to accommodate a family indefinitely in “extraordinarily expensive” accommodation in Dublin’s five-star Four Seasons Hotel until their flood-damaged home is repaired, a High Court judge has said.

A High Court judge has urged a Dublin family to "behave sensibly" in their battle with insurance giant Axa over water damage to their home in Sandymount.

A €800,000 settlement of a court action by a mother-of-two against insurance giant Axa over water damage to her South Dublin home broke down at the last minute yesterday.

A widowed mother of two alleged to be “destitute” and “homeless” after her south Dublin home was flooded has been offered over €800,000 towards repairs along with her chosen alternative accommodation in an apartment in the five-star Four Seasons Hotel.