The so-called Real IRA is expected to be outlawed in America within the next few weeks, according to the father of a boy killed in the Omagh bombing.
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Relatives of the dead and injured at Omagh said they believed US Secretary of State Mr Colin Powell is ready to make an announcement designating the so-called Real IRA, which would mean an end to fundraising and the group's representatives being denied US entry visas.
With new US estimates that the strength of the organisation may have increased to 200 Mr Michael Gallagher, whose son Aidan was among those killed in Omagh, said: "The stronger these people get numerically, the more chance they will be designated.
"I would be amazed, indeed astounded, if the authorities decided otherwise and I am led to believe there will be an announcement to that effect within the next few weeks. Certainly sooner, rather than later."
The State Department in its "Patterns of Global Terrorism" for 2000 said the Real IRA's membership had risen from 70 - the 1999 estimate - to between 150 and 200.
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Omagh bombing scene
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The Real IRA has been linked to a series of bombings in London and Northern Ireland over the last 18 months. They include attacks on the headquarters of MI6 and the BBC.
They are also thought to be behind a number of recent attacks on police and British army in Co Derry.
Mr Gallagher had talks at the White House last January with Mr Dick Nolan, the assistant director of the national security council.
He said: "The Real IRA is vigorously recruiting. Young people in particular are being targeted and they will certainly get more disillusioned mainstream IRA members.
"But the message coming from America is very clear. Americans are saying to these people, we believe the conflict is over. We will not tolerate people trying to destroy the democratic process."
West Tyrone MP Willie Thompson has called for the US State Department to place the Real IRA on its list of "Foreign Terrorists Organisations."
Speaking at Westminster today he said: "Although I have read with interest the US State Department’s publication on last year’s ‘Patterns of Global Terrorism’, I continue to be disappointed that the Department has yet to designate the Real IRA as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation, even though the report estimates a substantial growth in membership and support."
"Omagh is in my constituency and no one will ever forget the horror inflicted on the people there less than three years ago and yet the perpetrators, this terrorist group, seem intent on continuing to attempt to take and destroy lives."
Meanwhile police are believed to have ruled out any political motive for last week's vandalism at the Garden of Remembrance in Omagh. Hooligans have been blamed.
Two men and a juvenile, all from Omagh, have been questioned about the attack.