Remove ssl keystore settings via a groovy setting from within a composite settings.xml file

I've created a script that will set the different certs in the keystore for a composite project. The script is run at the test suite level.

However even after deselecting the previous ssl cert from the test script, it still appears to be referenced in the settings.xml for the composite project.
Other than removing from the settings.xml, can I do this programmitically to ensure that I always remove any pre-existing setting to ensure I set the correct ssl settings.